Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp welcomes gourmet festival for its second edition
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is set to host the second edition of the Botanic Gourmet Festival this June – a week-long celebration of gastronomy bringing together some of Belgium’s leading culinary names within the historic setting of the former monastery estate. Running from the 8-14 June, the festival will feature a programme of chef collaborations, exclusive dining experiences and curated events across all six of the hotel’s restaurants.
From the chapel and the Monastery Garden to the historic monastery kitchens and the thoughtfully designed restaurants: each lunch, dinner and tasting takes place in a unique setting, showcasing the talent of each participating chef. The festival opens with an exclusive Gourmet Safari through the estate, featuring a curated culinary food safari to showcase a variety of flavours, textures and creative expressions from each chef. Other highlights include a Sanctus four-hands dinner hosted by Yves Mattagne and Christophe Hardiquest, and a gourmet brunch featuring live cooking stations to close the event on 14 June.
Resident chefs for the 2026 edition include:
• Gert De Mangeleer & Joachim Boudens – Hertog Jan**
Minimalist purity, inspired by Japanese elegance and architectural precision.
• Jacob Jan Boerma & Thomas Diepersloot – Fine Fleur*
Contemporary haute cuisine with finesse and balance.
• Yves Mattagne – Sanctus / Hidden Garden
A refined cosmopolitan vision spanning meticulously crafted tasting menus and vibrant small plates inspired by travel.
• Koen Gussenhoven – Bar Bulot
Belgian classics reinvented with finesse. Timeless dishes served in a warm and stylish brasserie setting.
• Roger van Damme – The Gingerbread House
Michelin-starred pastry chef and World’s Best Pastry Chef 2017, whose afternoon tea collaboration with pastry chef Julie Houthave brings a refined new ritual to the estate.
The only hotel in Belgium to boast three Michelin stars on-site, Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp sits at the apex of a city that holds the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Belgium and ranks fourth globally per capita. The Botanic Gourmet Festival highlights and enhances that position, placing Antwerp firmly on the international map as a must-visit destination for sophisticated food lovers.
