If Mexico and Belgium do have something in common, it is that they are recognised for their popular gastronomy, represented all over the world through restaurants, snack bars, stands, franchises,... offering the most popular recipes, accessible and easy for a wide audience to enjoy. However, while Belgium is not to be outdone with its many tasty Mexican restaurants, we challenge you to find a Belgian chip worthy of the name in Mexico.
It's simple, if the Belgians who have returned home are to be believed, the chips are soft and cooked in vegetable oil. In short, it's better not to fall for a Mexican chip. But that was before...
Originally from Namur, Mike Biason, an expat living in this Central American country, has managed to develop a chip "Made In Mexico", but which complies with the less-than-rigorous but essential specifications for producing a real Belgian chip in line with standard practice. After a year's research (since there is no bintje potato or beef tallow in Mexico), the Namur expat managed to find a suitable potato in the State of Chiapas, along with breeders and craftsmen who could provide the beef fat. For the sauces and snacks, while the recipes come straight from Belgium, everything is also created on site.
But what was the result? According to Mike Biason, "Belgians and Dutch living in Mexico were his first customers to indulge in and rediscover this so-typical flavour. In order to adapt to the local market and appeal to Mexicans, he offers other variations, such as spicier fries for example".
For the sales channel, Mike Biason has set up a very "visual" food truck featuring a giant black, yellow and red cone called "La Frit'". After operating for 2 months, the Namur native does not intend to stop there and is still aiming to develop a fleet of food trucks operated as a franchise in 2020.
Source: L'Avenir
