Jamie Oliver’s Belgian beer battle

British TV chef Jamie Oliver and his accomplice Jimmy Doherty were in Belgium this week to film an episode of Food Fight Club, in which Oliver and Doherty travel to Europe and pit British produce against local specialities. In Leuven, on Wednesday, five British beers took on five Belgian ones in a tasting contest compered by TV comedian Bert Kruismans – Belgium won 4-0, with the ‘stout’ ending in a tie. Oliver took the opportunity to submit his own brew, Lady Marmelade, for review by professionals. Olav Blancquaert, sales director for Duvel-Moortgat, found the beer ‘very British, but delicious all the same’. On Tuesday, the duo were in Brussels’ Cirio bar, where Oliver put himself in the shoes – and apron – of a typical Brussels garçon de café. Before going to Leuven for the tasting on Wednesday, they were welcomed by mayor Freddy Thielemans to Brussels town hall, where Oliver managed to break the window pane of a door.