Meet the author Femke Vandevelde of Belgium for Foodies

Femke Vandevelde

Femke divides her time between Ghent and the Belgian seaside, together with her partner Jens, their daughter Zadig and their dachshund Nabokov. Originally a cookbook blogger, she currently works as a freelance food editor and restaurant critic for Belgian newspaper De Morgen. Her poison of choice is a Mezcal Bloody Mary, a Negroni an an Old Fashioned (in that order). Her favourite quote? "The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating." You can check out her website or Instagram page.

vineyard Clos d'Opleeuw — Vineyard Clos d'Opleeuw - Tony Le Duc

What Femke loves most about the food culture in Belgium

Fries, beer and chocolate! Just kidding. No other place in the world offers the same amount of diversity (from low-key bars to high-end gastronomy) and quality of food on such a small surface area. Belgian food culture is under-promising but over-delivering. And I'm not just talking about the talented chefs who serve up mouthwateringly good meals. Let's not forget the fishermen who brave the choppy North Sea when it's 8 Beaufort, the asparagus farmers who get their hands dirty in the soil, the new generation of innovative winemakers,...

traditional shrimp fisher in Oostduinkerke Belgium — A traditional shrimp fisherman in Oostduinkerke - Tony Le Duc

Femke's perfect day in Belgium

A day without a plan! In overall sense: to be wild and free.

When I'm at the seaside: a long walk on the beach with our daughter and our dog. Bumping into some friends and popping into a local beach bar: the smell of sun cream and sea salt on my skin while I sip my cocktail or enjoy a scoop of stracciatella ice cream. Back at our house, having a shrimp-peeling contest on the terrace. Eating a meal of moules-frites with freshly made mayonaise and counting the stars while Richard Hawley plays in the background.

When I'm in Ghent: enjoying a never-ending pre-dinner drink yet still managing to secure a table at a top-rated restaurant at the last minute. The look in my love's eyes when I tell him the good news, and letting him choose the wine. Every single time.

Buy the book

From fantastic food shops to extraordinary locations to dine al fresco, from classy, Michelin-starred restaurants to cafés with simple but tasty local specialities: this must-have guide for foodies takes you to the places every food lover should visit in Belgium.