- French fries are actually Belgian fries
- Belgium is the world’s leading exporter of frozen fries and the third largest supplier for Singapore
- Their “Go for Gold” campaign depicts the Original Belgian Fries as a premium product, embodying the golden color of the perfect fries
French fries are actually not French. Word has it that this potato dish was discovered during World War I (1914-1918) by American soldiers in Belgium, and as the Belgian army spoke French, the Yanks christened the yummy snack as “French fries” and the name stuck for more than a century.
That was what we found out at the “Go for Gold: Experience Belgian Fries” media event, a culinary experience to savor the quality and flavor of Belgian potato products, held at Fatt Choy Eating House (opposite Good Luck Beerhouse) in Haji Lane last weekend.
As the world’s leading exporter of frozen fries and the third largest supplier of frozen fries for Singapore, Belgian frozen fries exporters were in town end April for leading F&B event Food & Hotel Asia 2024 where they showcased their “Go for Gold” campaign.
“‘Go for Gold’ symbolizes our commitment to represent the Original Belgian Fries as a premium product, embodying the golden color of the perfect fries,” said Mr Gert Van Causenbroeck, Export Manager of VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board in Belgium).
As part of the campaign, the exclusive media event was held for invited guests to check out the taste of Original Belgian Fries and pair them with sauces created by a selected group of food bloggers.
Belgian “French” Fries & Potato Balls
After an introduction by Ms Ae Jin, a Belgian chef and cookbook author of Korean descent, of what culinary delights were coming our way, seeing the many plates of golden-hued Belgian “French” fries and potato balls being laid out on a long table before us truly made my heart skip a beat!
Singapore Homemade Sauces for Belgian Fries
There were also seven special homemade sauces created by food bloggers who were invited to participate in an “Experience Belgian Fries” Challenge held prior to this event.
There was Chili Crab Sauce, Chipotle Sauce, Creamy Hoisin Sauce, Fry Sauce, Mustard Bacon Sauce, Tangy Dates-Tamarind Sauce and Thai Seafood Green Chili with Mayo Sauce, all with their distinctive flavors.
The extra fun bit was we were each given colored star stickers to vote for our favorite sauce on a ‘Go for Gold’ Belgian Fries scoreboard.
My fave was the scrumptious Chili Crab sauce, followed by spicy Thai Seafood, and then the tamarind-tinged one. So glad Chili Crab won with its creators winning an air fryer!
Go for Gold: Belgian Fries & Beer
Last but by no means last, it was also really nice that there was free-flow chilled beer (and bottled water) to down all the delicious Belgian fries and potato balls.
Considering our super hot and humid weather in Singapore these days, the crisp ice cold beer (Belgian or otherwise) was truly one of the best things at the “Go for Gold: Experience Belgian Fries” event, next to the delectable potato bites and chili crab dip, that is!
(Thanks to Flame Communications for the invite.)
For more info on Original Belgian Fries, visit http://www.originalfries.eu.
Musings on the M49 