Events

Nils Temmerman from Laarne started almost 10 years ago as 'Kleinen Dirk' behind the turntables in his childhood home. After countless passages at parties in all corners of Flanders and several residencies at the Overpoort in Ghent, it is impossible to imagine any good party without this cheerful record producer. 

You might have seen him at work before during the Ghent Winter Festivities or festivals at home and abroad, now he provides the culinary festival Gent Smaakt with a tasty musical sauce on the first day.

Location: Korenmarkt

For several years, his name has been synonymous in the music world with an unseen, musical passion in his DJ sets.

The combination of making radio (Q-music, JOE fm, TOPradio, NRJ, ...) and nightlife turned out to be a golden one.

He knows better than anyone else how to put on the right record at the right time.

Location: under the City Hall

Outdoor fires type BBQ with grill and teppanyaki, such as White Fire and Ofyr, are incredibly hot. These fires are easier to maintain than a classic BBQ and you can simply cook anything on them. Moreover, they are also super cosy as fire bowls in your garden!

Julie Minne shows you in this demo that fire dining is perfectly possible with these appliances and that, with good preparation, you can dine all afternoon and/or evening with your guests. All dishes are made to share.

About the author

Julie Minne is co-owner of Buitenhuis, a thriving business dedicated to garden furniture, architecture and landscaping, swimming pools and outdoor total concepts. She is an avid hobby cook and one of the first adepts of the Belgian brand White Fire.

https://www.buiten-huis.be/

Location: under the Stadshal

Taste the unique flavor of specialty coffee with Belgian champion barista and world champion Aeropress Charlene De Buysere.

Specialty coffee is high-quality coffee and refers to coffee beans that have been grown, processed and prepared in exceptional ways. This coffee offers a world of delectable flavors, aromas and sensations that will surprise you again and again! In "The Taste of Specialty Coffee," barista Charlene De Buysere teaches you to fathom its complexity according to an ingenious flavor guide and how to get started brewing your ideal cup of coffee yourself.

In this delicious interactive workshop, Charlene lets you taste blindly between different coffees. She gives you valuable tips on how to brew the perfect coffee at your home. 

About the author 

Charlene De Buysere studied interior design, but quickly switched to the coffee business. She became Belgian Aeropress champion 2011 and 2012, Belgian Brewerscup champion 2011, World Aeropress champion 2012 and Belgian Barista champion 2014. Today, she is co-owner of specialty coffee company WAY Specialty Coffee Roasters. 

https://www.way.gent/

Location: under the Stadshal

In this workshop we will take you into the wonderful world of kombucha. We are going to teach you what it is, how to make it and of course you will also be given a kombucha starter and a scoby.
For this, please bring your best 500ml sealable glass jar so you can take everything home with you as well. 

Necessary equipment you need to bring yourself: Glass jar of 500 ml 

Location: Artevelde

The Golden Lion Square (Goudenleeuweplein) will be transformed into a family-friendly "Dragon Square" for four days (Thursday-Sunday) where we take into account the wants and needs of little foodies.

Between 2pm-6pm, children can take part in a culinary theatre show and quest, and sitting still at the table will be a lot easier with Dragon's games.

During the culinary theatre show, edible marbles will be made, there will be magic with tea and other merry things, ... We want to show them that there are healthy and easy alternatives to snacks that are also feasible at home. 

In addition, there is a culinary quest.  The idea behind this quest is that children and young people are given a number of questions and tasks at each square. In this way, in a playful way, we can introduce children to or think about alternatives (vegetarian, local, protein transition, ...) and do a fun activity at the same time. Every day an innocent hand then draws a day winner. This winner will then receive a Ghent Gift Voucher.

Ae Jin Huys of the book Taste Korea shows you how to use different jangs as flavoring. 

What makes Korean food so flavorful? The secret is in the jang, the sauces that have been the foundation of Korean cuisine for thousands of years. Jang is made from the soybean, which is fermented into soy sauce (ganjang), soybean paste (doenjang) and chili paste (gochujang). These flavorings provide a rich flavor palette and positive health benefits. 

About the author 

Inspired by Korean food philosophy, Ae Jin Huys brings simple and pure preparations with a balance of flavors, colors, textures. Through catering, workshops and popups, she introduces people to Korean cuisine. 

The book 'Taste Korea' is available for on-site purchase, where payments can be made via Payconiq.

https://www.mokja.be/

Location: under the Stadshal

Always wanted to learn how to ferment? That is exactly what we are going to do together in this workshop! 

We'll explain all the basics and then you get to work yourself. Bring a sealable 500ml jar for this, so you can take your fizzy pot of greens home with you too. 

Supplies: 
- 500ml glass jar 
- Cutting board and a sharp large knife or mandolin 
- Kitchen scale 
- Large mixing bowl  

This workshop will be taught by Kim, the fermentation specialist at Buikgeluk.be

Location: Artevelde

Curious about what a sustainable cocoa chain from farmer to chocolate looks like?

Ellen from HOLY COW introduces you to "speciality" cocoa from INDIA. Together with her husband Luca, she founded a cocoa company in India eight years ago, helping small-scale cocoa farmers to a fair and stable income.  

Through a sensory tasting of their own Ghent chocolate, you can experience the impact of the cocoa processing and chocolate making process! 
Moreover, afterwards you will take home your own bar of chocolate.

What will be covered?

• Welcome drink: cocoa tea
• The unique cocoa adventure of Ellen and Luca  
• Brief overview of the entire production process from cocoa bean to chocolate
• What is the best way to taste chocolate? Because just like wine, chocolate is a terroir product 
• How 'fair' and qualitative is my chocolate? 

Location: under the City Hall

For several years, his name has been synonymous in the music world with an unseen, musical passion in his DJ sets.

The combination of making radio (Q-music, JOE fm, TOPradio, NRJ, ...) and nightlife turned out to be a golden one.

He knows better than anyone else how to put on the right record at the right time.

Location: under the City Hall

DJ GUEUSH will take you through a unique mix of disco to house and funk to soul. From downtempo to uptempo, he makes you dance to funky grooves of well-known and unknown dance tracks from the 80s to the present. 

GUEUSH is also known as a fine dining DJ where he brings a unique balance between food & downtempo lounge music for great chefs like Sergio Herman. A musical guru with an enormous knowledge of various styles who knows how to charm young and old. 

Good vibes guaranteed!

Location: Korenmarkt

In this demo, culinary journalist and TV chef Sarah Puozzo takes you on a journey into the unique culinary Italy. She tells you about mystical wine tasting with the fathers of the Carmelite order in Veneto to eating velvety tortellini of the goddess Venus in Emilia-Romagna. She lets you taste dishes from the various Italian cuisines she has compiled in her new book Mangiamo! All'italiana. A unique experience!

About the author

Belgian-Italian Sarah Puozzo is the face behind the online magazine Sarahpuozzo.com. She can also be seen on njam! (In the mix and Open fire) and Netflix. She has a background in communications and food journalism and took cookery courses at renowned schools in Paris and Italy. In 2020, she obtained the 'Master of Pasta' title in Italy and started the first Pasta Academy in Belgium and the Netherlands.

https://sarahpuozzo.com/

Location: under the Stadshal

The Golden Lion Square (Goudenleeuweplein) will be transformed into a family-friendly "Dragon Square" for four days (Thursday-Sunday) where we take into account the wants and needs of little foodies.

Between 2pm-6pm, children can take part in a culinary theatre show and quest, and sitting still at the table will be a lot easier with Dragon's games.

During the culinary theatre show, edible marbles will be made, there will be magic with tea and other merry things, ... We want to show them that there are healthy and easy alternatives to snacks that are also feasible at home. 

In addition, there is a culinary quest.  The idea behind this quest is that children and young people are given a number of questions and tasks at each square. In this way, in a playful way, we can introduce children to or think about alternatives (vegetarian, local, protein transition, ...) and do a fun activity at the same time. Every day an innocent hand then draws a day winner. This winner will then receive a Ghent Gift Voucher.

Why not explore exciting culinary paths? Choose cheese and beer!

You will discover a world of flavors, bitter, sweet, fruity, spicy, with hints of chocolate or nut and floral aromas. Abbey beer, amber beer, blonde beer, brown beer, fruit beer, white beer... Our country surprises with brews in almost every color of the rainbow. Light or strong. You will surely find a cheese to match the beer of your choice. We'll help you get started. 

Beer sommelier Sam Nagels of brewery Duvel Moortgat will guide you through the wonderful world of beer and cheese. Take part in this delicious tasting and enjoy a tasting of 4 cheeses and their corresponding beers.

Location: under the Stadshal

Who doesn't dream of having their own wine domain? 

The young Ghent couple Simon Van Acker (32) and Sophie Blieck (34) made that dream come true, taking over a wine estate in Catalonia's top wine region DOQ Priorat. After all, a study by a California university showed that Priorat has the best soil for grapevines in the whole world. The dark brown slate ('llicorella') and rich mineral soil make Priorat unique in the world. The appellation is known for its very old vines and powerful, concentrated wines with lots of freshness, minerality and fruit. 

Sophie and Simon have been making their wines there for 6 years now in a completely ecological way and have appeared on the best wine lists in Belgium. Respect for the terroir, history and nature is the basis of their story. Get to know their surprising range of wines and this unknown top region during this tasting. 

https://vinoscoop.be/

https://priorat.be/

Location: under the Stadshal

Marc is a musical jack-of-all-trades who finds a trigger in every genre to put his audience in the right mood.

Under the name MarMys, you can find his own musical creations on all musical platforms.

Locatie: under the City Hall

Aron Sirjacobs AKA dj Sir Jacobs was born and raised on the Belgian coast. Known for his contemporary eclectic style, the young DJ and organiser (of Contrast Festival and the eponymous club in Ghent's Overpoort, among others) has already played for Studio Brussels, at Rock Werchter and Tomorrowland.

Location: Korenmarkt

After the great success of last year, we are organizing a Children's Restaurant again!   

Do you have a petit-chef at home and does your child dream of cooking for family and friends or serving food just like in a real restaurant? Then this is possible during Gent Smaakt, a culinary family event in the heart of Ghent. Everyone between 9 and 14 years old can register and indicate which task your child would most like to do that day (kitchen/bar & service).   

Then invite family and friends to come and eat at the Children's Restaurant that day.   

We have maximum space for 30 children and 100 diners per day (max. 6 people per child).  Children pay €5 for this workshop. Their guests pay € 30 per adult and € 20 for children up to 9 years old.  

In the restaurant we serve a 3-course menu with accompanied drinks (Mocktail, choice of 2 starters (fish - plant-based), choice of 2 main courses (meat - plant-based), dessert, water at the table). The children's jury is currently deliberating on the recipes of the participating chefs.  

Timing participating children: 11:15-16:00 a.m.  
Timing family & guests: reception at 14h15 - end at 16h   
Registration is possible until April 15. After receiving your registration, you can expect an email with practical info at the end of April and you will be able to pass on your menu choice. 

Location: under the Stadshal

The Children's Restaurant is a concept of Gent Smaakt in cooperation with Hotelschool Gent and could be made possible by Quorn and Vanier.

The Golden Lion Square (Goudenleeuweplein) will be transformed into a family-friendly "Dragon Square" for four days (Thursday-Sunday) where we take into account the wants and needs of little foodies.

Between 2pm-6pm, children can take part in a culinary theatre show and quest, and sitting still at the table will be a lot easier with Dragon's games.

During the culinary theatre show, edible marbles will be made, there will be magic with tea and other merry things, ... We want to show them that there are healthy and easy alternatives to snacks that are also feasible at home. 

In addition, there is a culinary quest.  The idea behind this quest is that children and young people are given a number of questions and tasks at each square. In this way, in a playful way, we can introduce children to or think about alternatives (vegetarian, local, protein transition, ...) and do a fun activity at the same time. Every day an innocent hand then draws a day winner. This winner will then receive a Ghent Gift Voucher.

Marc is a musical jack-of-all-trades who finds a trigger in every genre to put his audience in the right mood.

Under the name MarMys, you can find his own musical creations on all musical platforms.

Location: under the City Hall

Youth violence on Saturday, because after 4 days of feasting and sipping, it's time to burn off the calories. Jari and Jens shook many a youth club to its foundations, this duo coloured the line-up of Leffingeleuren festival and will prove here that cocktails, street food and their party hits blend perfectly. 

Double the pleasure!

Location: Korenmarkt

Don't have a gift for this year's Mother's Day yet? Don’t revert to the classical flower bouquet & chocolate: instead, give your dear mother a unique experience! This year, Gent Smaakt proceeds during Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12 & we won’t let that pass by so easily! Do you truly wish to spoil your mother? Take her with you to the Mother’s Day lunch of the biggest Open-Air Restaurant of Flanders: Gent Smaakt & gift her an unforgettable, culinary afternoon!

What’s included?

• An appetizer of choice
• Water on the table
• Aperobites
• Four sharing dishes

Location: under the Stadshal

Ghent is European Youth Capital 2024! Gent Smaakt helps carry the honour & organizes an original lunch on Sunday, May 12 for all young people under 30. The experience is co-curated by 28-year-old chef Karel De Clercq from Komparto. 

Are you under 30? Would you like to gain a memorable, culinary experience? Drag your youthful friends/boy/girlfriend along & enjoy this out-of-the-ordinary opportunity!

What's included?

• An appetizer of choice
• Water on the table
• Aperobites
• Four sharing dishes

Location: under the Stadshal

The Golden Lion Square (Goudenleeuweplein) will be transformed into a family-friendly "Dragon Square" for four days (Thursday-Sunday) where we take into account the wants and needs of little foodies.

Between 2pm-6pm, children can take part in a culinary theatre show and quest, and sitting still at the table will be a lot easier with Dragon's games.

During the culinary theatre show, edible marbles will be made, there will be magic with tea and other merry things, ... We want to show them that there are healthy and easy alternatives to snacks that are also feasible at home. 

In addition, there is a culinary quest.  The idea behind this quest is that children and young people are given a number of questions and tasks at each square. In this way, in a playful way, we can introduce children to or think about alternatives (vegetarian, local, protein transition, ...) and do a fun activity at the same time. Every day an innocent hand then draws a day winner. This winner will then receive a Ghent Gift Voucher.

Who doesn't dream of having their own wine domain? 

The young Ghent couple Simon Van Acker (32) and Sophie Blieck (34) made that dream come true, taking over a wine estate in Catalonia's top wine region DOQ Priorat. After all, a study by a California university showed that Priorat has the best soil for grapevines in the whole world. The dark brown slate ('llicorella') and rich mineral soil make Priorat unique in the world. The appellation is known for its very old vines and powerful, concentrated wines with lots of freshness, minerality and fruit. 

Sophie and Simon have been making their wines there for 6 years now in a completely ecological way and have appeared on the best wine lists in Belgium. Respect for the terroir, history and nature is the basis of their story. Get to know their surprising range of wines and this unknown top region during this tasting. 

https://vinoscoop.be/

https://priorat.be/

Location: under the Stadshal