Diplomatic World 67

YOU BRIEFLY MENTIONED ART. IN KNOKKE-HEIST,
YOU HAVE MORE THAN 90 DIFFERENT ART GAL-
LERIES, A LOT MORE THAN SOME BIG CITIES
EVEN. ARE YOU ART LOVERS YOURSELVES?
WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT
KNOKKE-HEIST?
Ann: The parking facilities. We do love it here, but when you
have all the allure of a big city in terms of gastronomy and leisure
SUCH DEDICATION AND NO MICHELIN STAR (YET).
DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?
Christian: No, I don’t really want a star, nor do I harbour any
ambitions of getting one. I simply want to keep doing what we’re
SPEAKING OF WHICH, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE
THE SEA FROM YOUR KITCHEN (BRASSERIE
BRISTOL OCCUPIES A UNIQUE SEAFRONT LOCA-
TION, PAIRED WITH A MODERN OPEN KITCHEN).
Christian: Yes. I myself am a great fan of art and enjoy visiting the
activities, you also need adequate parking facilities.
doing without creating excessively high expectations. Being
Christian: I rarely look up. I’m always too preoccupied with each
galleries or photo exhibitions at the Scharpoord Cultural Centre
consistent in our quality, that’s the aim. That’s why Knokke-Heist
dish to have time to look at the sea, however close and beautiful
here in Knokke-Heist. We’ve even gone as far as to work with
certain galleries. For example, I was once inspired by a piece in
a local art gallery for a magazine article, with the resulting dish
channelling the piece’s colours and overall composition. I had a
lot of fun doing it!
DO YOU DREAM OF RUNNING ANOTHER
BUSINESS ELSEWHERE?
Christian: No. Absolutely not. Our focus is solely on Brasserie
and Brasserie Bristol go so well together.
WHAT DO YOU PERSONALLY LIKE TO COOK?
it may be (he smiles).
Ann: We deliberately opted for an open kitchen so that customers
could enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse during their
visit.
Bristol and Knokke-Heist. As a chef, you cannot be in two places
Christian: I enjoy working with seasonal produce. For this, we
Ann: Some artists have even become regular customers,
at once. Nor can I duplicate my team.
rely on quality, local suppliers. Take our shrimps, for example. We
Ann, Christian. Thank you so much for this fascinating insight into
although I won’t be naming any names!
actually source these directly from a local shrimper. Serving the
your wonderful business, Brasserie Bristol, and for giving us your
sea on a plate in all its goodness, that’s what motivates me.
recommendations in Knokke-Heist. All the best for the future!
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