The Dutch Eel Smoking Championship is held annually on the first Saturday of September in the quaint village of Kortenhoef, located in the municipality of Wijdemeren, near Hilversum. Thanks to its splendid location amidst the lake area, the village is renowned among painters, writers, and ice skaters. The organiser of the championship is the Vechtplassen Eel Smoking Committee Foundation (VPC).

The organisation welcomes around a hundred participants each year. They come from all corners of the Netherlands because this championship truly holds significance for a large group of amateurs and professionals in the art of eel smoking. Many smokers arrive early in the morning to set up their smoking equipment and sales stall. The championship is made possible through the efforts of dozens of volunteers and the support of numerous national and local sponsors.

© Harld Rölling / VPC