La Grappe d'Or

Torgny is on Belgium’s furthest tip, in the beautiful isolated Gaume region, a small village facing France, a hamlet whose colours could have come straight from a painter’s palette, a burg that has rightly been nicknamed “little Provence”. And that’s how you feel as soon as you arrive - that you’re somewhere that invented peace and quiet, it’s a night for a fine feast, surely pleasure awaits. This place is unique and it was here that we came across one of the gastronomic finds of the year. Clément Petitjean was already a great cook. He spent time with Jean-Georges Vongerichten at "Market" on Paris’ avenue Matignon and on the way met the lovely Monia and so returned to Gaume to take up Jacques Boulanger’s already blooming business. And what a success! And what cooking! The man embodies perfectly a chef who knows his local produce and knows how to seduce the taste buds. He is in complete control, everything is just so and full of character – gastronomy that touches the heart. Without a doubt our find of 2009. Go, savour the fresh air and the wonderful tastes...