The awards to determine Brussels' best shrimp croquette will return later this year, where a total of 20 candidates will compete for a chance to win the coveted prize.
The shrimp croquette is a classic staple of Belgian cuisine. Crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, it is best served with a wedge of lemon and deep-fried parsley. While the dish, usually ordered as an appetiser or starter, can be found on the menu of almost every restaurant in the country's capital, some are evidently better than others.
Since 2018, visit.brussels has organised a competition to find out which Brussels eatery best masters the trade. Last year, after a blind tasting, Les Brasseries Georges near Bois de la Cambre emerged as the winner, claiming the title of Best Brussels Shrimp Croquette. Todt's Café and Chez Léon completed the top three.
This year, the competition will take place during the Eat Festival on Sunday 1 October.
What makes a winning shrimp?
Restaurant owners wishing to participate in the 2023 edition could submit their applications until 21 June. Visit.brussels announced the list of this year's candidates on Thursday, which includes a total of 20 entries, up from 19 last year.
Albert, Aux Armes de Bruxelles, Beaucoup Fish, Bistro de la Woluwe, Brasserie des Alexiens, Brasserie Ma Poule, Brasserie Ommegang, Les Brasseries Georges, Café Maris, The Dominican, L'Improbable, Kroket, LPB Market & Bistro, Nüetnigenough, Les Petits Oignons, Le Rendez-Vous des Artistes, Restaurant Vincent, Schievelavabo Uccle, Todt's Café, and Wine in the City will go head-to-head to win the award.
"To enter the competition, candidates had to meet the following criteria: they had to own an active business, canteen, counter or food truck in the Brussels-Capital Region and have homemade shrimp croquettes on the menu," visit.brussels explained.
Related News
The jury, consisting of gastronomic journalists and Cédric Mosbeux (of Fernand Obb Delicatessen) will use a points system to judge each entry. Points will be awarded based on various criteria, including the crispness, flavour and quality of the prawns.
Festival goers can also join the jury and give bonus points to the candidates. After the results are announced, the winner will be able to claim the title 'Best Brussels Shrimp Croquette' for a year.
