There’s more to Belgium than just chocolate, as proven by the transformation of the Grand Ballroom of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) into a stunning showcase of the country in all its glory including replicating the look and feel of the Grand-Place in Brussels.

Dubbed “a Belgian kaleidoscope of music, theatre, fashion, food and experience”, the “Best of” series is an annual event where a country’s cross-cultural exchanges and trade relations with Malaysia are highlighted. This year’s focus was Belgium and all things Belgian.

 “The event sought to promote better understanding of a foreign country and in doing so, remove communication barriers and open up an exchange of ideas in business, education, technology, culture, tourism and more,” said event organiser and DPO managing director Daniel Pans.

A gastronomic experience of traditional Belgian fare was presented by Chef Eddy Deketelaere, the highly-acclaimed owner of the L’Ecailler Restaurant in Liège, an establishment ranked best restaurant in Wallonia by economic and financial magazine Trends Tendances.

Chef Deketelaere’s cuisine gave testimony to the celebration of his second decade as a member of the prestigious French chefs’ association, Disciples d’Escoffier, where he has been bestowed the order of Dignitaire de l’Ordre des 33 Maîtres-Queux de Belgique for 12 years.

With a history dating back to the 19^th century, the Toone Marionette Theatre opened the evening with a take on Belgium’s rich tales of old and traditional with six hefty wooden puppets dancing through plots with hearty doses of slapstick, to tunes from a barrel organ.

Representing the creativity of Belgium, music for the evening was courtesy of multi-award singer-songwriter Sioen who serenaded guests with his trademark husky voice accompanied his keen ivory skills.

Also making her debut in Malaysia was Louise Assomo, who showed off Belgian chic in highly wearable, unique feminine creations which have become synonymous with the fashionable label of her namesake.

Said Mr Peter Brokenshire, general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, “The Centre maintains close ties with embassies and has thus far been honoured as the host venue for national day celebrations and events organised by the diplomatic corps of the UK, Australia, Canada, Republic of Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Austria and many more. We look forward to many more events of this grandeur and to playing our part in enriching Malaysia’s bilateral relationships.”

The Best of Belgium was a glamorous affair which saw the attendance of the Minister of Tourism, Malaysia, the Walloon (regional government of Belgium) Economy, Employment and Foreign Trade Minister Jean-Claude Marcourt, Malaysian-Belgium-Luxembourg Business Council president Rene A Heymans and the ambassador of Belgium to Malaysia HE Dr Frank Van De Craen.