Meatballs are a Belgian speciality – an everyday savoury treat honoured in an annual Brussels competition dedicated to the cold versions served in many of the city’s traditional cafes. For the third edition of Chaud Boulette, the jury awarded Delicatessen Cloetens from Schaerbeek the top prize, while silver went to Anderlecht butcher De Spiegeleer and bronze to Boucherie Pascale in Etterbeek. De Spiegeleer was also crowned with the public award. More than 250 meatballs were sampled, savoured and digested during the culinary contest’s blind tasting
at Café Les Brasseurs in Boulevard Anspach on Sunday. They were presented to both a professional and a public jury made up of about 50 people with the pro team helmed by Carlo De Pascale and including chefs, restaurateurs, journalists and artisanal food specialists. Brussels’ iconic peeing boy also joined in the celebration. Manneken Pis was dressed in the costume of the Brussels Butchers and Delicatessen Owners’ Guild for the festive occasion. The public enjoyed a tasting of meatballs and Brussels beer before a procession
through the city centre accompanied by the Meyboom Brass Band. Chaud Boulette is organised by food blog Tips From a Waitress. “The event aims to promote Brussels’ culinary heritage, support the capital’s artisan butchers and introduce the public to an iconic specialty of Belgian popular cuisine,” it said. Photos: ©Chaud Boulette
Chaud Boulette, meatballs, Brussels, Schaerbeek, Anderlecht, Etterbeek, Delicatessen Cloetens, De Spiegeleer, Boucherie Pascale, Manneken Pis, Boulevard Anspach, Café Les Brasseurs