Food and drink

An introduction to mezcal and tequila

Food and drink
Maybe I’ve simply tasted the wrong type of tequila? Flavours of alcoholic drinks such as wine, whisky and beer vary according to the brand and label. It stands to reason that the tequila I downed as student wasn’t premium quality. Perhaps it’s time to give tequila another chance and simultaneously sample mezcal.

Bobby’s Gin in Rotterdam

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Food and drink
“My grandfather was named Jacobus, which is a typical Dutch name, even though he was from the Maluku Islands. His generation had a lot of Dutch names, due to the colonies of the Netherlands in Indonesia. But my grandmother used to call him Bob or Bobby,” explains Sebastian, about the origins of his gin’s name,” says Sebastiaan van Bokkel, the maker of Bobby's Gin.

New Brunswick brewmaster Wendy Papadopoulos

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Food and drink
“When I first started in the industry I was 24-years-old and there were, I think, six other female brewers in North America. I’d get mistaken for the marketing person and whatever. Now that I’m in my niche, in my province and home, I know all of the brewers: I’m just another one of the guys. It’s changed a lot but I’ve really established myself. I’m part of community that takes me as a brewer and not as a woman,” says Wendy.

Interview with Belgian chef Lieven Lootens

Food and drink
Chef Lieven Lootens often finds inspiration from vegetables. “I think they are more inspiring for me because they have more beautiful colours and textures, and more differences in shapes. I really have something with vegetables and herbs. I really love herbs and things that grow in my own garden. We go outside in the countryside, at home, see those herbs and smell them. By the smell only you get teased by your senses. You associate them with other vegetables or the meat that you have. From there on you start building those flavours together. That’s how I create dishes when I have products from the season and can feel it, taste it and smell it,” he explains with passion.

Canadian poutine in London

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Food and drink
In the province of Quebec, it’s regarded as a dish to savour after a boozy night out. Poutine has the reputation as being the perfect thing to eat to offset a hangover. Buying a portion may even bring a cheeky morning-after bonus of leftovers for breakfast.

Poutine in Montreal and Quebec

Food and drink
“Where's it from really doesn't matter because what you want is the authentic poutine from a food truck or shack on the side of the road as you're road-tripping through Quebec. That's how you should have your poutine when you're not drunk,” says Martine who likes the cheese curds on her poutine to be squeaky.