Caroline Baerten & Nicolas Decloedt

He perfected plant-based culinary artistry long before vegan cuisine became a major international trend. For more than 25 years, former art photographer Nicolas Decloedt has consistently embraced a vegan and ethical lifestyle.

His Michelin-starred Brussels restaurant «humus x hortense», which he runs together with his partner—head chef, sommelier and mixologist Caroline Baerten—has received numerous awards and was crowned the world’s best vegan restaurant in 2019. A love of detail and the dream of ecological perfection drive the Belgian.

His seasonal cuisine is therefore not guided by spring, summer, autumn and winter, but distinguishes 24 micro-seasons to always guarantee the freshest selection. Sustainability and zero waste are also paramount in «botanical gastronomy»: the plant-based products come from regenerative agriculture within a radius of no more than 100 kilometres. From root to leaf, Decloedt uses every part of the plant; there is no waste in his kitchen. Techniques such as fermentation bring out the flavours of the ingredients to the fullest.

This intense taste experience is further enhanced by the wine pairing and botanical cocktails, which Caroline Baerten perfectly matches to each course. The creative duo’s credo: we should not have to choose between delicious and sustainable food – both elements can be perfectly combined on the plate.