Belgian Michelin Star Chef Shares Perfect Meal Secrets on Visit to Kazakhstan
Belgian chef Yves Mattagne, who has earned two Michelin stars, recently visited Astana and Almaty for the first time. Known for his top seafood restaurants and television show, Mattagne talked to The Astana Times about his inspirations and the secret to creating the perfect gastronomical experience. He is a passionate advocate of fresh food, sustainably sourced and wonderfully cooked. He advises that it is crucial to concentrate on the quality of ingredients and the diligence of cooking to create mouthwatering tastes. Aside from ingredient quality, seasonality and choice of plate are also key elements in creating a profound gastronomic experience. Mattagne teaches culinary classes and emphasises that while learning techniques is important, it is more important to continue probing with spices and tastes to figure out what works best. For him, “learning how to cook is all about travelling”. Traditional dishes, he says, can reveal a country’s rich food history. Furthermore, street food is another of his passions. It allows a communal atmosphere and a connection with people. Mattagne plans to experiment with traditional Kazakh cuisine and fuse it with his own cooking vision.
