A Belgian Food Competition for an Iconic Dish
Following Kenny Bernaerts (De Vijfhoek, 2024) and Dean Hoebeeck (Table22, 2025), the 3rd edition of the Best Vol-au-Vent in Belgium competition has been officially launched by INEX. Open to professional chefs from the country’s three regions — Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, the competition gives them until 31 July 2026 to submit their recipe — which must include INEX 40% Belgian cream — and compete for the tastiest title in the kingdom.
At BXLpositive.news, we adore this dish: it speaks of Belgium’s white-tablecloth Sunday lunches, a dish to be shared, perfected, and passed down. And there is simply no bad news when a well-made vol-au-vent lands on the table.
🤝 Sponsored article by INEX 💙
🎬 Official INEX video — Belgium’s Best Vol-au-Vent 2026.
Michelin-Starred Chef Christophe Hardiquest Leads the Jury
Michelin-starred chef Christophe Hardiquest (Menssa★, formerly Bon-Bon★★) will once again chair the jury. Joining him are:
- Lode De Roover — Fleur de Lin★
- Michiel Van Colenberghe — Spermalie Hotel School
- Dean Hoebeeck (Table 22), winner in 2025, is an official member of the jury.
« A good vol-au-vent might just be the ultimate comfort food. » — Christophe Hardiquest, 2026 Jury President.
What are the Prizes for Belgium’s Best Vol-au-Vent?
- The official title of Belgium’s Best Vol-au-Vent 2026
- €1,000 in purchase credit at INEX
- A brand-new Thermomix TM7
- National media coverage — and exploding reservations in the following months, as Dean Hoebeeck experienced: « Our winning vol-au-vent draws customers from all corners of Belgium. »
The 5 finalists will be invited to cook live at De Melkerij (Bavegem) on Monday, 5 October 2026 for the grand finale. The other finalists will each take home €250 worth of INEX products.
A Call to Action for Brussels' Culinary Scene
Bernard Frisque, president of the non-profit organisation BXLOVE and publisher of BXLpositive.news, makes a direct appeal to Brussels chefs:
« Entering a competition motivates our teams to elevate our cuisine. Making it to the finals is already a significant recognition. And winning puts the restaurant in the spotlight for a long time — it’s a recognition and a source of pride in craftsmanship for the teams, and it secures the identity of the recipe. From start to finish, every chef who invests in their kitchen should have the chance to participate in a contest like this. What’s more, with Christophe Hardiquest as an ambassador, we receive advice that will last a lifetime. Let’s hope this 3rd edition will finally be won by a Brussels chef 💙 »
Why This Brussels Restaurant Contest is a Game-Changer
For two years running, no Brussels chef has lifted the trophy. Yet the capital’s gastronomic scene — from Comme Chez Soi to the bistros of Saint-Gilles, and the restaurants of Ixelles, Uccle, and the City of Brussels — is teeming with talented sauciers capable of reinventing this great classic.
BXLpositive.news pledges to:
- List all participating Brussels chefs (send us a note 👉 bernardfrisque@hotmail.com)
- Publish a profile of every Brussels finalist ahead of the final
- Cover the closing day on 5 October in Bavegem live
- Celebrate the winner with a dedicated article — and if it’s a chef from Brussels, with a 100/100 score and the premium 💎 badge
How Can a Chef Enter the INEX Vol-au-Vent Competition?
- Recipe using INEX 40% cream + 1 photo of the dish, in a single document
- Registration form: inex.be/fr/le-meilleur-vol-au-vent-de-belgique
- Deadline: 31 July 2026 inclusive
- Open to all professional chefs working in Belgium
- Contact / support: call Bernard Frisque on 0460 95 15 50 for more info or guidance with your application
- Free: Entry is completely free of charge
- The recipe will not be published online — your expertise is protected
Relive the Highlights of the 2025 Competition Final
The official INEX video for the 2026 competition is online: YouTube — Belgium’s Best Vol-au-Vent 2026. The 2025 final, won by Dean Hoebeeck (Table22) with his Coucou de Malines chicken recipe, can be viewed on inex.be.
Photo Gallery: A Look Inside the 2025 Edition
About INEX, the Family-Owned Belgian Dairy Partner
At INEX, a love for nature, people, and animals is a core value. We create delicious dairy products using pasture-fed milk from our local region, produced by our local farmers. That’s what matters at INEX.
INEX is a Belgian family-owned dairy company. Every day, we work with the best nature has to offer. And we make it even better.
The pasture-fed milk we receive at our site in Bavegem, East Flanders, is of the highest quality. This Belgian milk is collected from local farms located within a 100 km radius of our dairy.
With great care and passion, we transform this pasture-fed milk into the most delicious dairy products, such as yoghurts, cream, and chocolate milk.
🔗 Sources & Verifiable Links
- Official INEX Competition — Belgium’s Best Vol-au-Vent 2026: https://www.inex.be/fr/le-meilleur-vol-au-vent-de-belgique/
- Horeca Magazine article — victory of Dean Hoebeeck (Table22) in 2025: https://horecamagazine.be/fr/dean-hoebeeck-table22-remporte-la-deuxieme-edition-du-meilleur-vol-au-vent-de-belgique/
- INEX — Chef Dean Hoebeeck wins the 2025 title: https://www.inex.be/fr/chef-dean-hoebeeck-remporte-le-titre-de-meilleur-vol-au-vent-de-belgique-2025/
- Restaurant Menssa★ (Christophe Hardiquest): https://menssa.be/
- Restaurant Table22 (Dean Hoebeeck): https://www.table22.be/
— The BXLpositive.news Editorial Board, in editorial partnership with INEX.
Contact and Support for Your Application
Two simple ways to join the adventure:
- Call Bernard Frisque on 0460 95 15 50 for more information, advice, or for support with your application.
- Or fill out the official INEX form directly before 31 July 2026.
Every Brussels chef who invests in their craft deserves a chance — and with Christophe Hardiquest as an ambassadeur, every entry is an opportunity for invaluable career-long advice.
