Setl Loses Elimination Battle
Setl in Mechelen must close its doors as the first restaurant eliminated in the VTM program ‘Mijn Restaurant’, Nieuwsblad reported on Thursday.
Friends Elroy, 31, and Gaetano, 29, faced a difficult verdict after a turbulent fine dining journey. Nieuwsblad said that the duo started as top favorites following an initial test at the starred restaurant Oak.
Reality Catches Up in Mechelen
Complex dishes led to long waiting times and communication issues once the Mechelen location opened. The duo became the first in the show’s history to press the pause button to regroup, according to Nieuwsblad.
Upon reopening, a streamlined menu helped Gaetano win over secret reviewers with his humor. However, Nieuwsblad reported that leftover closure effects, empty lunch shifts, and jury criticism regarding inconsistent dish quality ultimately prevented them from reaching the next round.
Jury Regrets and Survival in Hasselt
Jurylid Marc Coucke praised the Mechelen team despite the elimination. “Het was een hele moeilijke beslissing, maar de andere duo’s waren net iets beter”, Coucke told Nieuwsblad, adding encouragement for the pair to remain in the hospitality industry.
Meanwhile, LABO in Hasselt narrowly avoided elimination. Chef Marco and Indra faced severe criticism from press reviewers who mocked their 95-to-100-hour workweeks, but strong dishes like a pineapple sea bass convinced the jury to let them continue, HBVL reported.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Elimination
Which restaurants survived the elimination round?
Blitz from Gent and LABO from Hasselt advanced alongside Oh La from Oostende and Lakkhana from Halle, according to Nieuwsblad.
When does ‘Mijn Restaurant’ air?
Episodes broadcast every Tuesday and Thursday at 20:40 on VTM, with early access available on VTM GO+, Nieuwsblad reported.
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