In the Luxembourg/Belgium region, nine establishments won Michelin stars for the first time this year. Among them was Steinfort’s own Apdikt. For chef Mathieu Van Wetteren, who accepted the award at the ceremony, this was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. “Hard to believe,” he comments.

Believe it, Mathieu: the award, in the words of Gwendal Poullennec, international director of Michelin Guides, represents culinary excellence and creativity.

Van Wetteren is known as the “pirate of gastronomy.” When asked why, he suggests that it’s because “I do things for me, not for others.”

Apdikt is housed in what was once a pharmacy--hence the name--and celebrates Luxembourg’s terroir, combining tradition and modernity in both food and setting. For his dishes, Van Wetteren draws inspiration from local and seasonal produce, and his approach is to perpetually explore new techniques and flavour combinations. “His creativity aims more for simplicity and purity, rather than fussy frills,” says the Michelin Guide. “The menu rolls out a patchwork of big-boned, forthright flavours.”

Other winners

At the ceremony, not a single Luxembourg restaurant failed to keep its star--or, in the case of Ma Langue Sourit (in Contern), two stars. Apdikt thus joins the ranks of La Distillerie (which also kept its green star, given for sustainability), Léa Linster, Eden Rose, Mosconi, Ryôdô, La Villa de Camille et Julien, Fani and Guillou Campagne.

Two Belgian establishments were awarded a second star: Sir Kwinten (in Sint-Kwintens-Lennik; three hours’ drive from Luxembourg City) and Hof van Cleve (in Kruishoutem; three and a half). Eight others received their first.

The Michelin Guide also hands out “bib gourmand” awards to the best “value-for-money” restaurants. In Luxembourg, Parc Le’h, K Restaurant, Bazaar and Bonifas all held onto their awards.

This article in Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.