Over 42,000 shrimp croquettes eaten at the third Shrimp Croquette Festival in Ostend

The Ostend Prawn Croquette Festival lived up to its legendary name. More than 42,000 shrimp croquettes were sampled over four days at the Wellington Hippodrome. 6850 visitors took the task of electing the best shrimp croquette in Ostend very seriously, as almost everyone voted. The winners can proudly advertise their title for a year. The professional jury preferred Fort Napoléon, while the public prize this year went to North. The festival has already announced its fourth edition for 5 and 6 October 2024.

On 13, 14, 15 and 16 October, the Wellington Hippodrome was the Mecca of the Ostend prawn croquettes. Eleven Ostend restaurants came together to offer a culinary treat to the more than 6850 visitors. The personal and unique preparations were tasted with a critical eye, and it was clear from the atmosphere that there was something for everyone. The festival also attracted a large number of international visitors to Ostend.

The jury

Once again, the festival was held in a very convivial atmosphere, but of course there had to be a tasting. A professional jury was set up, chaired by top chef Marcelo Ballardin from the OAK restaurant, who blind-tasted all the prawn croquettes and chose the three best. The professional jury was made up of chef Jason Blanckaert, a Gault&Millau delegate, food journalist Femke Vandevelde, lifestyle journalist Veerle Helsen, food journalist Evelien Rutten, actor Wim Willaert and jury chairman Marcelo Ballardin. Their votes resulted in the following top three.

First place: Fort Napoleon

The crust of this round croquette is beautifully brittle, with a creamy filling underneath. The generous amount of prawns is enhanced by a hint of nutmeg.

Second place: North

This crispy croquette, covered in a puffed panko wrapper, really stands out, even the filling is beautifully consistent.

Third place: Gastrobar Sam

Beneath the thick crust lies a tasty filling with a lovely texture. Thanks to a balanced seasoning, this spicy prawn croquette is full of flavour.

Audience prize

In addition to the jury, visitors were also able to vote. All the prawn croquettes were critically examined for the taste of the filling, the crust, the amount of prawns and the structure. All visitors voted for their favourite prawn croquette. The top three in the public vote were as follows.

First place: North

Second place: Toope

Third place: Fort Napoleon

The companies taking part in this year's event were: Mac Moules, Plassendale, Rubens, Poseidon, North, Leffe Beach, Café Botteltje, Fort Napoleon, Gastrobar Sam, Venetiaanse Gaanderijen and Toope

The Prawn Croquette Festival in figures :

- 6850 tickets sold

- visitors from 12 different countries, from Finland to Italy

- 11 restaurants in Ostend

- 42000 prawn croquettes

- 800 litres of cooking oil, which will be recycled after the event

- 6181 pints of beer

- 5842 glasses of wine

- 1996 glasses of cava

- 5500 votes from the public and 7 professional judges

- 247 employees

- All the employees took more than 5.6 million steps to offer visitors an unforgettable experience.

Save the date 

On 5 and 6 October, Ostend will once again be shaking on its foundations to elect the best prawn croquette.