The Hertog Jan story started when Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens first met at Bistro Hertog Jan in Bruges. The two young men soon discovered that they were soul mates. It became clear that their collaboration had the potential of a very promising future. The old Hertog Jan establishment was initially more a ‘brasserie’ kitchen. But soon after Gert and Joachim took over the restaurant in 2005 they made their mark on the new menu. They were awarded their first Michelin star. A second Michelin star followed after a thorough refurbishment of the building. But Joachim and Gert, both young and ambitious, wanted more. Finding a more idyllic place for the restaurant was an important aspiration.
