Blending Craft and Activism: Discover Entropy Application to Collège C

As we’ve submitted our application to the Collège Culinaire de Belgique (the Belgian version of the Collège Culinaire de France), we had the opportunity to explain our approach to craftsmanship and the identity we strive to defend in our kitchen.

Here is our manifesto on craftsmanship — and the role it plays in everything we do.

Entropy — Craftsmanship, Activism, and a Living Gastronomy

At Entropy, the idea of a restaurant goes beyond the plate. Built around the belief that gastronomy can be both artisanal and socially engaged, the project has evolved into a space where craft, research, and activism meet to shape a new culinary language. Rather than defining itself through fixed signatures, Entropy embraces a philosophy of constant evolution — a reflection of the world it exists within.

A cuisine shaped by consciousness

The identity of Entropy’s cuisine lies in its plant-led approach and its commitment to meaning. Seasonality, sourcing, and intention guide each creation, allowing ingredients to express themselves with clarity. Instead of following rigid gastronomic conventions, the kitchen focuses on balance, texture, and depth — often through fermentations, broths, and slow transformations developed in-house.

This vision is deeply connected to the Hearth Project, a research platform that explores how food can carry more soul and awareness. Here, the plate becomes a medium for dialogue: between nature and technique, between sustainability and pleasure, between creativity and responsibility.

Craftsmanship as a daily practice

Artisanship at Entropy is not a label — it is a process. Many elements are made internally, from fermented preparations to vegetable-based sauces that require patience and precision. The team works closely with local producers and artisans, building relationships that prioritize transparency and shared values.

This commitment extends beyond the kitchen. Upcycled materials, collaborations with craftspeople, and a mindful approach to resources reflect a broader vision of craftsmanship — one that values human touch over industrial uniformity. Accepting the unpredictability of seasons and products is part of the creative act, reinforcing a cuisine that remains alive and responsive.

Plates that tell a story

While the menu evolves constantly, certain intentions define Entropy’s style. Dishes often revolve around a single vegetable explored through multiple textures, or around fermented elements that bring acidity, umami, and complexity. These creations are less about spectacle and more about connection — inviting guests to rediscover familiar ingredients through a new lens.

Rather than fixed “signature dishes,” the restaurant emphasizes recurring ideas: inclusivity, depth of flavour, and an approach that nourishes both the palate and the mind. Each plate becomes a chapter in an ongoing narrative of research and refinement.

Activism through hospitality

Entropy’s activism does not manifest as slogans but through action. A largely allergen-free menu designed for inclusivity, a wine list highlighting natural producers, and a space built through reuse and collaboration all reflect a desire to rethink how restaurants interact with society.

Workshops, talks, and community-driven initiatives extend this mission beyond service hours. By engaging with topics such as food systems, health, and sustainability, Entropy positions gastronomy as a platform for conversation — a place where guests can reflect on the impact of what they eat.

A living identity

In a field often defined by consistency and tradition, Entropy chooses adaptability. Nothing is fixed; everything is in constant evolution. Craftsmanship and activism are not separate pillars but intertwined forces that shape the restaurant’s identity — guiding decisions from sourcing to storytelling.

More than a destination, Entropy remains a work in progress: a restaurant, a research space, and a community-driven project seeking to bring more consciousness and humanity into contemporary gastronomy.

Find more about the approach to craftsmanship fostered by the Collège Culinaire de Belgique here:

https://college-culinaire-de-belgique.be/