Confrérie president Pieter Smits hands over the diploma that goes with the Chevalier to Mike de Jong, financial minister for the Canadian province British Columbia.
After California, South-East Asia, Germany, France and Belgium, the asparagus is now continuing its campaign north. "Canada is one of the few countries with only A's as vowels in its name. This is why it's the perfect country for the Dutch top vegetables, of which AAA is one of the better qualities," says Pieter Smits. He is president of the Confrérie de l'Asperge Limbourgondië, the Netherlands' oldest fraternity centred around an agrarian product.
The festive presentation took place in the residence of the Dutch consul in Vancouver. Consul Gert Heijkoop, who had already experienced an 'asparagusade' before in his previous position in Antwerp, showed himself to be an enthusiastic host and lover of asparagus. His guests included Mike de Jong, financial minister for British Columbia. De Jong - son of Dutch farmers who emigrated after the war - is popular in his own country, as he has broken the tradition of buying new shoes before the budget debate. He has been entering parliament wearing second hand shoes on budget day for a number of years. "I couldn't think of a better example of Dutch thrift," he explains, as he enjoys steamed asparagus with scallop, mushroom and slow cooked pork belly.
Two Hostellerie de Hamert cooks, chef Harold Kok and his assistant Mick Schemen, converted the residence's kitchen into an asparagus temple. They would have liked to present the meat of the Limburg Livar pig with some of the dishes, but it isn't allowed to be imported when they like. The Canadians fear all kinds of bacteria.
There were no importing problems, however, with the wine. Roger Smits of De Hamert generously gifted a Pinot Grigio Vivace from the Okanagen region in British Columbia. It goes well with asparagus. This once again shows that the best from Dutch soil can easily be matched with exotic top class products. Mike Jong, who was knighted Chevalier of the Confrérie de l'Asperge Limbourgondië agreed.
After a few sips of wine he was able to pronounce the Latin saying 'Centerum censeo aspergum vos esse de punctum' effortlessly. The saying means: "I believe you will enjoy the asparagus until the very end". After another few sips of wine he proved it true, enjoying the asparagus like a real Dutchman.
Two Hostellerie de Hamert cooks, chef Harold Kok and his assistant Mick Schemen, converted the residence's kitchen into an asparagus temple. They would have liked to present the meat of the Limburg Livar pig with some of the dishes, but it isn't allowed to be imported when they like. The Canadians fear all kinds of bacteria.
There were no importing problems, however, with the wine. Roger Smits of De Hamert generously gifted a Pinot Grigio Vivace from the Okanagen region in British Columbia. It goes well with asparagus. This once again shows that the best from Dutch soil can easily be matched with exotic top class products. Mike Jong, who was knighted Chevalier of the Confrérie de l'Asperge Limbourgondië agreed.
After a few sips of wine he was able to pronounce the Latin saying 'Centerum censeo aspergum vos esse de punctum' effortlessly. The saying means: "I believe you will enjoy the asparagus until the very end". After another few sips of wine he proved it true, enjoying the asparagus like a real Dutchman.