Flemings’ favourite dish is chicory with cheese and ham baked in the oven, according to a survey conducted by VRT in collaboration with the Centre for Agricultural History. Flemish meat stew came in second place, chicken vol-au-vent was third.
Members of the public made their choice from 10 nominated dishes. More than 17,000 people cast their vote.
The winner is chicory with cheese and ham baked in the oven. A thoroughly Belgian dish with little pretension. It was first described in the famous “Kookboek van de Boerinnenbond” (Farmwives' Association Cookbook), 1927 edition, and is still popular almost 100 years later. Also with chef and television presenter Jeroen Meus.
‘I am very happy with this winner,’ says Jeroen Meus. ‘It has been my favourite since I was a child. I was always allowed to choose what I wanted to eat for my birthday, and every year it was chicory with cheese and ham in the oven.’
But Belgium also has its chicory haters. Children in particular often sit at the table with a sour expression on their faces when they are served this dish. ‘Children often don't like bitter flavours,’ says Meus. ‘My son is now 13 years old and only now is he starting to eat it. You can't force children to eat it, but they'll get there in the end!’