Starting 1st October 2023, Brussels Airlines is set to redefine gourmet flying. Business Class passengers on the airline’s long-haul flights are in for a treat! They can enjoy a unique culinary experience crafted by the two-Michelin-starred chef, Michaël Vrijmoed, from the renowned Ghent restaurant, Vrijmoed.
Brussels Airlines History of Fine Dining Onboard
This collaboration marks the continuation of Brussels Airlines’ decade-old tradition of offering passengers exquisite cuisine. Since 2013, the airline has partnered with 13 other Michelin-starred chefs. The tradition, which commenced with dishes by chef Geert Van Hecke, now includes Belgian Star Chef Michaël Vrijmoed. Passengers can look forward to a rotational three-course menu inspired by traditional Belgian recipes every three months. This year, the spotlight shines on Belgian vegetables.
Handpicked Wine and Beer Selection Enhances the Meal
Master of Wine Jan De Clercq has handpicked accompanying Belgian wines, while beer sommelier Sofie Vanrafelghem brings locally brewed Belgian beers to the table.
Introducing the World to Belgian Flavors
Chef Michaël Vrijmoed expressed his enthusiasm: “As a Michelin-starred chef, it is a privilege to be allowed to cook for the business class travelers of Brussels Airlines. I am following in the footsteps of Peter Goossens, one of my tutors. He served as a star chef for the airline in 2015. Through my creations for Brussels Airlines, I will introduce the world amongst others to tasty Belgian vegetables, accompanied by some East Flemish regional beers and cheeses from cheese refiner Van Tricht.”
Journey of the East Flanders Star Chef
Vrijmoed’s culinary journey began under the mentorship of top chef Peter Goossens at Hof van Cleve. Launching his restaurant in Ghent in 2013, it soon became a global sensation, particularly for vegetable-centric dishes. Michaël Vrijmoed is now the second chef from East Flanders that Brussels Airlines has collaborated with.
Philip Mortier, Inflight Product Manager of Brussels Airlines, added, “Brussels Airlines is the flying ambassador of the best Belgium has to offer. As an airline, we introduce the world to delicacies originating from our country. We are happy that with Michaël Vrijmoed, we can again put our local products and recipes in the spotlight. Next to the food, our passengers also discover regional beers such as Steenuilke, Liefmans Goudenband, and Adriaen Brouwer Oaked. All three are brewed by traditional Belgian breweries such as De Ryck, Liefmans, and Roman.”
Inside Brussel Airlines Business Class Vegetable-Centric Menu
Aligning with Vrijmoed’s specialty, Business Class travelers on Brussels Airlines can expect a variety of choices for their starter and main course.
“Passengers can choose from two starters, one of them being my signature dish: beetroot (with Doyenné du Comice pear, mustard seed and horseradish sauce). As a main course, we serve a celeriac variation (with soil-grown chicory and crispy Jerusalem artichoke) as a vegetarian choice. There is also a choice between Pheasant (with soil-grown chicory, wild mushrooms, cranberries, pearl onions, Jerusalem artichoke, fine champagne sauce and Jerusalem artichoke puree) or Eel in Green (with herb salad and chateau potatoes). To conclude, passengers can choose from a cheese platter with East Flanders classics like Belgian Wittekop or Biloete, two cheeses from East Flanders’ Lotenhulle, or Hazelnut chocolate cake with a vanilla-coffee sauce for dessert.”
Michaël Vrijmoed
About Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines, a part of the Lufthansa Group, connects Brussels Airport to over 85 destinations, including 17 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The airline showcases Belgium’s best to the world and is on a mission to reduce its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019, with plans to become carbon neutral by 2050.