This June, Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp unveils the very first edition of the Botanic Gourmet Festival. From June 16 to 22, 2025, the historic setting of Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp transforms into a stage for gastronomic excellence. Over the course of a week, Michelin-starred chefs, renowned sommeliers, and international culinary talents will gather—together boasting an impressive 22 Michelin stars.
The festival reaches its crescendo with the Grand Gourmet Gala: an evening of world-class gastronomy, where each course is crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, accompanied by curated entertainment and a heartfelt commitment to charity. Hertog Jan and La Grenouillère unite to to create an unforgettable culinary masterpiece, blending their signature styles in a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.
Gert De Mangeleer vs. Alexandre Gauthier
During this prestigious festival, two culinary visionaries join forces for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Gert De Mangeleer invites acclaimed French two-star chef Alexandre Gauthier (La Grenouillère) for an exclusive four-hands lunch and dinner at the highest level.
Gert De Mangeleer is internationally celebrated for his pure, refined, and technically masterful cuisine, where vegetables and subtlety take center stage. Rooted in Belgian terroir and guided by a modern perspective, his creations continually surprise with their aesthetic beauty and intellectual depth.
Alexandre Gauthier, the chef behind La Grenouillère in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil, is known as the enfant terrible of French gastronomy. His cooking is instinctive, robust, and deeply connected to nature, yet uncompromisingly contemporary. With his raw, poetic style and avant-garde presentations, he redefines classic French technique.
What unites these two chefs? An unwavering dedication to creativity, craftsmanship, and emotion on every plate.
Alexandre Gauthier – La Grenouillère (La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil)
Alexandre Gauthier is renowned for his innovative approach to French gastronomy. Since 2003, he has been at the helm of La Grenouillère, his family’s restaurant in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil, in the Pas-de-Calais region. Under his leadership, the restaurant has earned two Michelin stars and the prestigious Green Star for sustainability.
Gauthier’s culinary style is deeply rooted in the Côte d’Opale, where he transforms local and seasonal ingredients into bold, contemporary creations. His cuisine is often described as a fusion of nature, technique, and poetry, reinterpreting traditional French techniques with a modern twist.
His contributions to French gastronomy have not gone unnoticed; Gauthier has been named Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite and serves as an ambassador for the Hauts-de-France European Region of Gastronomy.
Driven by a constant quest for innovation and a profound connection to his region, Alexandre Gauthier remains a leading figure in the world of haute cuisine.
Four hands lunch & dinner with Gert De Mangeleer & Alexandre Gauthier
Tuesday, June 17, during the Botanic Sanctuary Gourmet Festival
Menu: €395 per person
Wine pairing: €175 per person
Deluxe wine pairing: €355 per person
Non-alcoholic pairing: €135 per person
Visit the website to reserve a table:
hertog-jan.com/en/reservation/
