Belgian bonus food: Endive with Ham Gratin

Bonus food for ESA astronaut Raphaël Liégeois.

Belgian Endive with Ham Gratin, a Flemish favorite, was crafted by chef Wouter Keersmaekers of the renowned restaurant De Schone van Boskoop in Antwerp, Belgium, with the support of sommelier Margot Heydt.

This creamy, comforting dish features locally-sourced Belgian endive, ham from Hove and a rich béchamel sauce made with Orval cheese — a nod to Raphaël’s family ties to the Orval region.

ESA astronaut Raphaël Liégeois graduated from basic astronaut training as a fully-fledged ESA astronaut in April 2023 and was assigned to his first spaceflight to the International Space Station during the Space Council held in Brussels in May 2024.