Tour guide in Brussels Senna R.

Food and history is who we are, is the story of my life in one sentence. Some people eat to live, I live to eat! I grew up south-east of Brussels in Overijse, known as one of the towns of the Region of Grapes (Druivenstreek). I then came to study in Brussels at the VUB, went abroad on an exchange and learnt to appreciate the things I have at home, and then wanted to show it to others. First on a volunteer basis to exchange students in Brussels (as a way of giving back for my wonderful exchange experience). But then I got bitten by the history bug, and boy, did it ferment and does it continue to do so in my brain... I later decided to turn all that into my job. I am a tourguide for over 10 years now. Terrorist attacks, comfy job offers, and a pandemic could not keep me away from that. Can you elaborate on that? Yes. Please continue reading below. I was born in a family that is versed in food matters: both grandparents were grape-growers. Not for wine, but luxury table grapes known in the first half of the 20th century as the best in the world. With that came vegetable gardens and chickens all around me during my youth. My mother went to hotelschool were she had to learn cooking. She would share her knowledge generously with my younger brother and me. Later on during my teens, she obtained a degree in bakery and patisserie, ice cream and chocolate making. Those are now her business: she sells waffles and ice cream, the ice cream is produced in-house with fresh milk from a farm nearby. It's pretty difficult for me NOT to talk about food, and my brain is (a no-dig loofah fruit) sponge to all food-related matters ranging from growing (grapes, fruit, and our own veggies in my parents backyard) and agriculture, processing, cooking and gastronomy, and of course most of all: the eating of it. After 2 years as a guide, I got seriously involved with the beer world, and in particular fell in love with spontaneous fermentation beers: lambic and gueuze as a big part of Brussels beer history. I also guide in two Brussels breweries. I of course could not keep away from chocolate either, and go on spending sprees in my favourite chocolate places. I can't pick between beer or chocolate, you can do both at the same time with a pairing. I wonder what the next years might bring, but I'm sure food will be the main theme.