City of Bruges aims to enhance its gastronomic appeal and inspire local talent through this event. Organized by We’re Smart World, celebrating its 10th anniversary, the program includes international awards, culinary events, and the inaugural Global Pure Plant Conference. Activities will take place at the Kasteel van Male and the Bruges Meeting & Convention Centre (BMCC).
Through its food strategy ‘Brugge smaakt naar meer’ and the Brugs Food Lab, the city promotes healthy, local, and sustainable nutrition. Bruges has endorsed the Flemish Green Deal Eiwitshift 2.0 and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, and holds the title of Veggie Capital for 2025-2026.
On Sunday, October 25, the event kicks off at the Kasteel van Male with the We’re Smart Future Awards, followed by a plant-based gala dinner featuring dishes from chefs like Patrick Devos and Julius Persoone. On Monday, October 26, the BMCC will host the We’re Smart Awards Show, unveiling the new We’re Smart Green Guide and the top 100 plant-based restaurants worldwide.
Bruges chefs, including Patrick Devos (Patrick Devos), Lien Vandeputte (Reliva), Bruno Timperman (Bruut), Kristof Deprez (De Mangerie), and Karen Keygnaert (Kantine Copine), will present a plant-based walking dinner. Students from Ter Groene Poorte, Spermalie, and VIVES Culinary Arts Center will participate in a tailored program with international top chefs and the film Eat More Trees by Louis De Jaeger.
Through the ‘Chef Locale’ initiative, in collaboration with the Brugs Food Lab, participating local chefs will gain access to the Global Pure Plant Conference on Tuesday, October 27. Foodcrush and Kopjezwam, members of the Brugs Food Lab, will showcase their innovative projects during the Flanders Food – We’re Smart Innovation Platform.
The inaugural Global Pure Plant Conference at the BMCC will bring together chefs, entrepreneurs, retailers, researchers, and Bruges residents to explore how plant-based food can become healthy, delicious, appealing, and accessible to all. Featuring inspiring talks by internationally renowned speakers such as Tobias Leenaerts (Proveg) and Dr. Yves Segers, it serves as an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and inspiration.
