National Hennessy Hospitality Award announces finalists 2025 edition

After an intensive theory round and a tasting technical section, the judges of the competition for the National Hennessy Hospitality Award have selected the 10 contestants who will advance to the finals. The top talents competed against each other on Monday 7 April 2025 in this prestigious competition for hospitality talent between the ages of 20 and 26, held for the 24th time this year.

With an intensive theory test and a challenging wine and food test, 20 candidates competed for a place in the finals on 7 April 2025. During this round, not only was their knowledge of hospitality tested, but questions on communication, drinks and commodity knowledge of the kitchen also came up. Another topic was the harmony between drink and dish. 

Participants were judged by jury chairman Edwin Raben, while Astrid Schreuders provided candidate guidance. Competition arena was traditionally ROC Mondriaan Den Haag, location Koningin Marialaan. 

Gathering knowledge

The second part of the first competition round was all about gaining knowledge. There was a master class on Hennessy Cognac and SVH Meestergastheer Stan Kerckhoffs - working at star restaurant Latour in Noordwijk - gave a presentation on SVH Meesters on behalf of the Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca. The day ended with a cocktail-making workshop with Hennessy Cognac and a demonstration of filleting sea bass at the table by SVH Master Host Eduard van der Toolen, also Hospitality Manager and lecturer at ROC Mondriaan. The latter two topics allowed participants to prepare for the next round of the competition.

Good mutual atmosphere

Jury chairman Edwin Raben noticed the good mutual atmosphere within the group this year. "It was also noticeable that the Japanese junmai daiginjo sake to be tasted blind was only recognised by few. Because the level of participants increases every year, the level of the questions was raised a little and we added a few more open questions. In one of them, we asked participants about their views on hospitality and the future of the hospitality industry. It was nice and special to see how the participants think about this and what place they see for themselves in it," said the jury president.

These contestants will advance to the NHGP 2025 finals (in no particular order)

Reserve candidate:

Continuation of the match

Over the next few months, the 10 finalists will be visited by the judges at the restaurant where they work, where they will be judged over a meal in the role of head hostess or head host.

The concluding competition component is the practical day on 22 September 2025, which will include a test of practical skills. The announcement of the winner of the Hennessy Hospitality Award 2025 will take place on 3 November 2025 during the launch of Lekker500 edition 2026.

About the National Hennessy Hospitality Award (NHGP) 

To take Dutch hospitality to the next level, the National Hennessy Hospitality Award was established in 1999. The aim is to promote knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic hospitality and to raise awareness of the profession. Under the banner of the G4, Alliance Gastronomique, JRE Jeunes Restaurateurs, Les Patrons Cuisiniers and Fine Eastern Restaurants collaborate on the NHGP. In addition, ROC Mondriaan in The Hague contributes and Lekker500, S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, House of Caviar, Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca (SVH), Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), Edwines, Guide des Chefs and Nespresso are linked as partners. Although the competition is organised by the G4, entry is not tied to membership of a restaurant association. 

Follow the NHGP on Instagram, Facebook and via Lekker.co.uk/NHGP.