Tuesday, 15 August, is giant omelette day once again in Malmedy, in the Eastern Cantons, with thousands expected to participate in this year's 26th edition of the culinary tradition.
The omelette is made from at least 10,000 eggs. It also uses 25 litres of oil, 50 kgs of bacon, chives and herbs, Bénédicte de Bournonville Mathy, president of the 'Confrérie des chevaliers de l'omelette géante' fraternity, explains. The ingredients traditionally come from the region and are supplied through sponsors.
It is the members of the fraternity who prepare the dish. This is done outdoors, in a pan four metres in diameter, and on a wood fire. Visitors can taste for free.
Malmedy is not the only place in the world where a giant omelette is made. There are seven fraternities worldwide, including in France, New Caledonia, the USA (Louisiana), Canada (Quebec) and Argentina. Representatives from some of these countries will descend on Belgium on Tuesday.
It rained last year, but that did not prevent some 3,500 enthusiasts from turning up.
