The “Table de Terroir” label, backed by the Agency for the Promotion of Quality Agriculture in Wallonia (Apaq-W), won the Gault & Millau “Culinary Innovators Award” in the Sustainability category on Monday evening. The Minister for Agriculture, Willy BORSUS, is delighted that the quality of a project funded by Wallonia's Recovery Plan has been recognised in this way.
The “Table de terroir” network allows restaurants committed to featuring local products on their menus to stand out. No one doubted that anymore. But this network has now also been recognised as a contributor to sustainable development through the prestigious “Culinary Innovators Award”.
This award highlights not only Wallonia's restaurant sector but also the entire Walloon agricultural industry, recognised for its role in feeding people and creating economic and environmental value. More than 800 local producers now supply the 80 labelled restaurants. This should encourage new restaurants to sign the charter and join the network, while also reminding farmers and local producers of the trust placed in their work. Beef, pork or poultry, fruit and vegetables, potatoes, and, without being exhaustive, wines and other local drinks: a very wide range of products feature on the menus of these restaurants.
This recognition from Gault & Millau, a major player in gastronomic criticism worldwide, is far from insignificant. The “Culinary Innovators Award” celebrates the alchemy between culinary excellence, tradition, innovation and values. By winning the sustainability category, the “Table de terroir” network has confirmed the values it promotes: a restaurant industry committed to actions and choices that respect the environment.
For the network's restaurateurs, this is a prestigious confirmation that they made the right choice. For farmers, horticulturists and other local producers, it is recognition of their work and the quality of their products. For the APAQ-W team, it is an encouragement to continue expanding the network.
For more information about the Table de Terroir project, we invite you to visit the website www.tabledeterroir.be.