Hitler’s ‘Favorite Dish’ angers Belgian Jews

October 26, 2008

A Belgian television show will prepare Adolf Hitler’s favorite meal on the air.

Television chef Jerien Meus of the VRT station reportedly plans to prepare the meal, which includes trout in butter sauce, at Berchtesgaden in Bavaria, the former site of Hitler’s "Eagle’s Nest" alpine headquarters and now a tourist attraction and museum.

Meus, 30, reportedly catches the fish himself and prepares it on "Favorite Dish," which is scheduled to air Tuesday. Meus on past programs has explored the culinary preferences of other celebrities.

The act has angered Belgian Jewish community and survivor groups.

Michael Freilich, the editor-in-chief of the Antwerp Jewish paper Joods Actueel, deplored the show as a "banalization" of Hitler and called Meus "naive" about the dictator’s crimes against humanity. Associations representing Belgian deportees and former political prisoners also have voiced dismay.

Jan Stevens, the director of the Canvas broadcasting company, told the French press agency that he hoped the show would lead to a "better understanding of the dictator," but he also apologized in advance for any hurt feelings.

Neo-Nazi Web sites reportedly are spreading the word about the show.

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