Hi!
I just found out I am actually going to be spending the summer in Belgium! My hubby's work is sending him and paying for part of our tickets as well as housing ect while we are there.
We will be to the east of Brussels.
I am just wondering if anyone is from there? Or has been there and has ideas of places to shop for cake things? Or maybe how to say "cake" in Dutch and French?
If I know no other words in the language I need to know that one
We'll be only 3 hrs. from Paris!!
Here is a link to a translation site.
http://www.translation-guide.com/free_online_translators.php?from=English&to=French
I remember seeing a post from a women who had been living in france i'll see if i can find it she might be able to help.
I can help you with the Dutch bit! Cake = taart, and if you need anything else translating (not from/to French though!), let me know! Brussels is only a 4 hour or so train ride from us, so if you ever get bored, you're welcome to come & visit (we have a sofa bed!). Good luck!
Hi luvscakes,
I am perhaps the one BabyC1985 is talking about. Sorry I can't help with cake shopping in Brussels! If you ever come to Paris, the key word is MORA (the name of a shop).
However, from my experience here you should try to bring along:
- a can of meringue powder
- cream of tartar
- a small kit of gel/paste food colouring
Mission impossible: to find shortening here. You'll have to deal with butter only.
Good luck!
Hi Luvscakes!
The french translation of "cake" is "gâteau"!
In Belgium, be sure to try the chocolates, they are so good!
Have a nice time there!
No BabyC1985, not worth a visit at all if you are coming from the US - they just have a small section with cake decorating products, mainly from Wilton.
French pastries are wonderful to eat, less amazing to look at. At least as far as wedding cakes are concerned, the most awful cakes are here. 
I lived in Brussels a few years ago. I'm not sure about the cake deco shops b/c it was before I got into this craft, but Neuhaus chocolate is made there and you can get good chocolate at their "outlet" store (located on the west side of the Ring road).
If you're going there with the military, you'll have PX privileges and can get your Crisco and other US baking goods at the PX.
PM with any questions re living situation, neighborhoods, medical, etc, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Cake is Gateau (singular) and Gateaux (plural) in French.
Theresa
I am from Belgium. I live one hour from Brussels. I must say , here in Belgium, there is nothing what ever on cake decorating.
And certainly not a shop !!! ( so I hope one day to open one )
It is very classical , a least i believe so. The normal cakes with fruit and cream on top or buttercream mostly brow or beige or white.
You shall find very yammy little cakes (not cupcakes) but not at all decorated like everything you see here.
I shall try to find some pictures.
I hope you will have a pleasant stay at Belgium.
Karen
Hello luvscake,
I am from Brussels. Actually, I was not born and raised there but I have been living there for 10 years. Currently, I am in Munich and on maternity leave but as of next month, I will be back home (back to work).
Cake decorating is not really known or developed in Belgium. When I made some fancy cakes (at that time, they were nothing close to the masterpieces you see here) all my friends could not believe it. Now that I took some time from my leave to play more with that, my friends are in awe.
However, I must say that they make some nice dessert like in France but still very traditionnal.
When I got married years ago, I almost have a fight with the woman at the restaurant-hotel. When I showed her my picture of the cake I wanted, weaked that she could not reproduce it, she answered me like "Do you want a wedding cake that taste good or one that look good like in America". Furious was too small to describe how I was. Pretentious, short sighted and incompetent. I almost cancel my wedding there but it was too late for that.
And guess what, I got a wedding cake all 4 tiers chocolate, and taste nothing like a good wedding cake to me. I still hate that place today but I must say that they are located in the bushes! It was a choice made only for the matter of convenience for some guests.
I speak French, English and a bit of Dutch so you can contact me when you are there.
There is one place to shop for cake stuffs in Brussels. Actually I live not for from them. It is a small store and they carry some wilton products but not very much. they go by what is most asked for. It is called "fancy cakes". However, I buy most of my stuff on ebay, in England or cake central.
Well, if you come to brussels, I might show it to you then.
Creole
I have also to buy everything online, so for to find something really nice...
You live in the "Walhalla" already , so to peak...
Ik always say i want to go to the US with empty bagages so ik can buy and buy and buy ....
Oh I love Belgium!
I visited many times while living in Germany. A beautiful country!
Have fun. It doesn't sound like you'll be stocking up on cake supplies, but keep a good look out for nice platters or serving stands and things of that sort. Oh and girl, the chocolate! Once you've had it, Hershey's just doesn't do it anymore!
Thanks for all the input ladies!
I am here in Belgium now... in Gent. I was to busy packing up my house to ever get on here agian. I do LOVE the chocolate! Since I don't speak dutch or french, it is difficult to know what I am buying, so I just buy!
I am curious... and posted another post on it.... do you all just buy fondant/ sugarpaste here? Or do you make MMf?
I typically make my own MMF, however, I have been unable to find regualr marshmallows at the store.
I was in brussels for a short time last weekend, but I think we were in a bad part of town... and there was so much traffic we were standing still!
A warm welcome!
Enjoy the chocolates, and the not so famous weather.
About fondant, I make both MMF and home made. I know a place where you can get the bad wilton one but who want to eat it?
I live in Brussels. Gent is not far though.
It can be busy in Brussels depend on the day and time but yes, it is a busy city traffic wise.
I'll PM you.
Creole
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