Lewis Capaldi enjoying an Antwerp restaurant before his Sportpaleis show: “Best restaurant experience ever” (Antwerp)

Koninks immediately knew who he was cooking for when he got the call that Lewis Capaldi was coming. “A lot of people know his discs, but not his name. I knew right away. I like his music a lot. Maybe a little sentimental, but always with a story behind it.”

The Scotsman, who broke through to the international level in 2019 with the mighty strike Someone you loveIt will be at Sportpaleis on Thursday. On the advice of his entourage, a table for 18 was reserved at the Maven for Wednesday. “He was very sympathetic,” says Koninckx, who cooks regularly for the stars at the Maven. “Very normal, no show, feet on the ground. I think he has six million followers anyway, so it’s not obvious. The restaurant was quite full, but I think a lot of people didn’t even realize who he was.”

Louis and his crew didn’t make it difficult for Jules and his team and opted for an eight-course menu, with meat, meat, and more meat. “The Scots just love meat,” Jules explains. It is alcohol says the stereotype. “I guess he could drink like a Scotsman, yeah. It wasn’t so bad yesterday, maybe because he still had to sing. Although I guess those guys can get that together, right?” (He laughs)“

Louis said goodbye before dessert. “I think he still had a rehearsal, because he only got through earlier. The rest of his crew stayed.” But the singer will not leave until he tells Jules how much he loves her. The beautiful building with its “podium squares” and the craftsmanship in the kitchen are particularly impressive. “”Best restaurant I’ve ever eaten atHe said in his flat Scottish accent. He was a little drunk, so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration (He laughs). I certainly take it as a great compliment, such artists are used to something.”

Jules and his team were not given tickets to the show. “I didn’t ask for it either, we couldn’t chat for a long time during a busy service. But we still kept in touch with his team. Three shirts were left on their table, and we have to return them to them.” This sounds like a good excuse to go to Sportpaleis.

And Lewis Capaldi will play at Sportpaleis on Thursdays at 9 p.m. Supporting work was provided by Scots of Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves and British band Only The Poets. Show tickets are still available.