BRUSSELS (AFP) -- Belgium is historically one of the world's top beer countries but Thomas Costenoble, organizer of the Brussels Beer Challenge, fears that trouble is brewing.This international contest in the Belgian capital, now in its fifth year, features 1,250 beers from 36 countries and 80 judges to sample the tipples on offer.But Belgians increasingly fear that their centuries-old dominance is at risk from foreign upstart beers that are not afraid to break with tradition.“Belgium is still a

Gaon, La Yeon each awarded three Michelin Stars

In the classic fairy tale of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” somebody ate all of Baby Bear’s porridge because, well, it was just right.A breakfast staple of Scotland, porridge is a mush, usually made from cereal grains and served hot without the addition of sweeteners. If porridge sounds like an odd way to start the day, consider it not all that different from Southern-style grits, Italian polenta or even Chinese congee.The Kansas City Star’s Pumpkin Pie Porridge brings interest to a typically

Naturally leavened sourdough and pretzel croissants at artisanal bakery

Private party package at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel is offering a private party package for year-end gatherings until Dec. 31. The package includes a one-night stay in a private suite overlooking the city. Guests can organize a business meeting or a private party, with prices starting from 990,000 won for two people, excluding tax. A gourmet course dinner features delicacies prepared with the freshest ingredients and served in a luxurious and elegant atmosp

Delicate technique abounds with subtle mouthwatering flavors

Special promotions at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s traditional English-style bar, the Oak Room, is offering special promotions in late October and November. The bar will offer beer and margarita sets on Tuesday and Wednesday nights only from Nov. 1. A pitcher of Cass draft beer and a fried chicken can be had for 48,000 won, as well as a pitcher of margarita and a nacho platter for 72,000 won. Every Thursday night between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. starting Oct. 27, ladies can enjoy fr

Two potatoes are better than one.The Kansas City Star’s Parmesan Sage Crusted Sweet Potato Gratin combines slices of Yukon gold with sweet potatoes in a layered, breadcrumb-topped dish known as “au gratin.”Au gratins are typically starchy vegetable dishes napped with cream or milk and liberally topped with cheese. For instance, the Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond’s recipe for Perfect Potato au Gratin uses 3 cups of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk and 2 cups of cheddar cheese.Granted, it serves 16, b

The third annual Seoul Kimchi Festival is set to kick off its three-day run on Nov. 4 at Seoul Plaza.Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the festival aims to provide citizens and tourists with a better understanding of how to make kimchi and the importance of its tradition.   A group of participants posing during the Seoul Kimchi Festival in 2014.“Gimjang,” or making kimchi, has long been an important tradition for families across the nation. It involves more than just making kimchi

Drinking seven or more sweetened drinks per day, including soda and fruit juice, could increase the risk of high blood pressure by 10 times, according to a new study. The study, which was conducted by a research team at Samsung Seoul Hospital, followed 5,853 people aged 19 or older who had previously participated in the survey “Food Security Status in the Korean Population” between 2012 and 2013. The team analyzed the possible risk of high blood pressure for each individual in accordance with th

This rice cake, yeongyang chaltteok, is one of the easiest rice cakes you can make at home. No kneading, no shaping, no pounding, and no special tool other than a steamer is required. Yeongyang means healthy, and chal-tteok refers to sticky, chewy rice cakes that are made with glutinous rice (sweet rice) powder, chapssal garu. Traditionally, black soybeans (called seoritae or geomjeongkong), dried jujube (Korean dates, daechu), and dried pumpkin strips (hobak ogari) are added to this type of ric

Two sisters craft Greek-style yogurt in Seorae Village

Gala dinner at Ambassador Hotel Group The Ambassador Hotel Group will host gala dinners with a Michelin starred chef to mark the 130th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic ties. The events will take place at Grand Ambassador Seoul on Nov. 9 and at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam on Nov. 11.The event will feature five wines from the Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Chatelain regions, which will be paired with a seven-course menu prepared by chef William Ledeuil from France. He will showcase traditional

White asparagus promotion at Millennium Seoul Hilton Millennium Seoul Hilton’s French restaurant Seasons is offering white asparagus in a four or five-course dinner this month. Grown without exposure to sunlight, white asparagus -- referred to as the “king of vegetables” in Europe -- has a delicate flavour sought after by gourmands.The menu will feature white asparagus and lobster charlotte with an osetra caviar dressing; white asparagus soup with poached quail eggs and king crab meat; butter po

An office workers’ generous and budget-friendly lunch