Gert De Mangeleer is one of Belgium’s most celebrated chefs, who led Hertog Jan near Bruges to three Michelin stars and became the youngest Belgian ever to reach that summit. Renowned for cooking with vegetables, herbs and flowers grown on his own farm, he built one of the most admired restaurants in Europe before closing it at the height of its success.
Together with sommelier Joachim Boudens, De Mangeleer created a personal, garden-driven cuisine that earned three stars and the title of European Chef of the Year.
TL;DR
- Belgian chef, one of the youngest ever to earn three Michelin stars
- Led Hertog Jan near Bruges to three Michelin stars
- First star 2006, second 2009, third 2011
- Grew his own vegetables, herbs and flowers on his farm
- European Chef of the Year in 2014
Gert De Mangeleer key facts
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Restaurant | Hertog Jan, near Bruges (3 Michelin stars) |
| Stars | First 2006; second 2009; third 2011 |
| Partner | Sommelier Joachim Boudens |
| Honour | European Chef of the Year 2014 |
A rapid rise
Gert De Mangeleer and sommelier Joachim Boudens took over Hertog Jan in 2005, near Bruges in West Flanders. Their success was extraordinarily rapid: the restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2006, a second in 2009 and a third in 2011, making De Mangeleer the youngest Belgian chef ever to hold three stars, at just 34.
A garden-driven cuisine
De Mangeleer’s cooking is defined by his connection to the land. In 2010 he and Boudens bought their own farm in Zedelgem, near Bruges, where they grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers for the restaurant. Combining these home-grown ingredients with modern technique, he created dishes of great precision and a strong sense of place.
Recognition and a bold decision
De Mangeleer was named European Chef of the Year in 2014, one of many honours. Yet after thirteen years, and while Hertog Jan was still at the height of its success with three stars, he chose to close the restaurant – a rare and courageous decision. He has since stayed busy opening new restaurants and mentoring young chefs.
Signature style
De Mangeleer’s style marries modern technique with the produce of his own garden and farm. Vegetables, herbs and flowers are central, treated with precision and imagination, in cooking that is refined yet deeply rooted in the West Flanders soil. It is a personal, ingredient-led cuisine that helped define modern Belgian gastronomy.
Gert De Mangeleer in context
De Mangeleer is one of Belgium’s greatest chefs featured on Pickup Table 4, alongside fellow three-star chefs Peter Goossens and Tim Boury.
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Gert De Mangeleer FAQ
Who is Gert De Mangeleer?
A Belgian chef who led Hertog Jan near Bruges to three Michelin stars.
How many Michelin stars did Hertog Jan have?
Three, earned between 2006 and 2011.
What is he known for?
Cooking with vegetables, herbs and flowers grown on his own farm.
What award did he win?
European Chef of the Year in 2014.
What happened to Hertog Jan?
He closed it in 2018, while it still held three stars.
