Challenging practical trials for finalists National Hennessy Hospitality Award

On 22 September 2025, ten finalists of the competition for the National Hennessy Hospitality Award (NHGP) 2025 competed against each other during the practical round. With challenging practical tests such as table preparation, a sales pitch and making a cocktail, the contestants competed for the title of best young host or hostess in the Netherlands. The results will be announced on 3 November 2025 during the launch of Lekker500 edition 2026.

Some of the tasks change every year. This year, the 10 finalists had to fillet and serve fried sea bass with a garnish at the table under the eye of the judges. They also had to give advice on a party for 75 people in a sales pitch. During these practical assignments, the finalists were judged by a jury consisting of SVH Meestergastvrouw van restaurant Bij Jef Nadine Mögling, the nestor of Dutch gastronomy Cees Helder, Lekker500 editor-in-chief Annelies Pijper and Lex Gasseling (former restaurateur and former chairman of Stichting Samenwerking G4). In addition, former NHGP winners Annemarie Nijhoff (2020), Max Oude Veldhuis (2021), Teide Schepers (2022) and Pieter-Jan Kruithof (2024) also judged.

Cocktail with your own ingredient

Another test was making a cocktail with Hennessy Cognac, where the finalists were allowed to add their own ingredient - in addition to a wide choice from the bar. The cocktails were judged on behalf of Moët Hennessy Netherlands by General Manager Jean-Baptiste Billiet and Senior Brand Manager Steven Maes. 

Jury and profile interview

Besides the practical tests, the finalists had a profile discussion in the form of an interview with Lekker500 journalist Mieke van Laarhoven about their participation in the competition and their future plans. The result will be featured in Lekker500 edition 2026. 
During a jury discussion, the finalists were put to the test on all kinds of work situations by the chairmen of the Stichting Samenwerking Gastronomische 4 (Bob Bron for Alliance Gastronomique, Bjorn Massop on behalf of JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, Frank Visser for Les Patrons Cuisiniers and Michael Hu on behalf of Fine Eastern Restaurants), as well as journalist from De Telegraaf and delegated jury member Pieter Klein Beernink and Patrick van Zuiden (chairman of the NHGP committee and owner Restaurant, Hotel & Spa Savarin).

Gunfactor

Jury chairman Edwin Raben looks back on a varied day with pleasure. "This year, the finalists were already given a demonstration of table preparation in April, which they could then practise for four months. Despite that, some careless mistakes stood out, such as forgetting to set the table and not serving the dish warm. Nice to see was the mutual favour factor. Finalists who had already done a trial sometimes gave tips to their competitors."

Course of nine months

The course of the competition began in March 2025 when registration was opened. The first part of the competition was a theory test and wine-tasting test. The 10 remaining finalists were visited by the judges at the restaurant where they work during the summer. They were judged during a meal in their role of hostess or host. During the practical trials on 22 September, they competed for the last time. Competition arena was traditionally ROC Mondriaan International Hotel and Management School in The Hague. Astrid Schreuders (AstridsTaste) provided candidate guidance.

Impressive prize package

The announcement of the winner and presentation of the Hennessy Hospitality Award 2025 will take place on 3 November 2025 during the launch of Lekker500 edition 2026. This will take place at venue partner Culinair Landgoed Parc Broekhuizen in Leersum. 
The winner goes home with the challenge trophy (a sculpture by artist Lou Thissen) and gets to pay a study visit to Hennessy's renowned Château de Bagnolet in Cognac, France. In addition, the winner will receive a bottle of highly exclusive Hennessy Paradis worth €1,320 and a cash prize of €2,500. The finalist who creates the best Hennessy Cognac cocktail during the practical round will be offered a WSET Spirits course by Edwines School.

The 10 finalists in no particular order:

      Name Restaurant Place

1. Floris Aaldering Showw Amsterdam

2. Sanne van den Brink Hemel & Aarde Utrecht

3. Perry Heneweer Merlet Schoorl

4. Ynze Peters Amí Bistro Breda

5. Sanne Poppen The Millèn Rotterdam

6.     Benthe Smithuis Rosemary Joure

7. Jens Reniers At Jef Den Hoorn

8. Sophie Pauws Maeve Utrecht

9. Kosin Trieu Chi Ling IJmuiden

10. Michelle Leone Éclusier Bloemendaal