Annebel Meerhoff, second winner Jan Vlasman Award

Food & Beverage talent from Hotel Management School Maastricht

The winner of the Jan Vlasman Award has been announced! On the first day of the BBB hospitality fair in Maastricht, Annebel Meerhoff managed to take the win and crown herself the winner of the Jan Vlasman Award 2025. This hugely ambitious lady is an absolute F&B personality who has already done and achieved an awful lot in this field in her young life. For us the ideal winner of the Jan Vlasman Award 2025," said the jury consisting of F&B professionals, all linked to the Hotel Management School Maastricht. Chairman Frank Donker added: "Annebel knows exactly what she wants, has F&B in her blood and radiates that in everything. Decisive, enthusiastic and immensely motivated to grow in the F&B world; she has it all!"

This is the second time the Jan Vlasman Award was presented. This encouragement and appreciation award is an initiative created by the Hospitality Synergy Group in honour of Jan Vlasman: an icon who knew how to memorably convey hospitality and his passion for gastronomy. For more than 60 years, Jan Vlasman introduced hotel school students to the taste, smell and passion of food and drink, or Food & Beverage (F&B). Third- or fourth-year students at the Hotel Management School Maastricht who developed their careers in a special way had a chance to win the title.

The race for the title

The top three, consisting of Annebel Meerhoff, Huub Hoppener and Noor Mulder, gave their all in several rounds at both Hotel Management School Maastricht and Rotterdam Gastvrij to convince the 14-member jury. In the end, Annebel walked away with the win and was declared the winner of the Jan Vlasman Award 2025. As a reward, Annabel will receive a wonderful prize including a training as a wineologist from the Wine Academy (SDEN4) worth €4,200, a barista workshop at the SMIT&DORLAS academy and a lunch for 2 at Restaurant Maes Cuisine du Terroir. In addition, she gets to attend an edition of Society 'The Good Glass of Bethlehem' worth €250, Annebel gets access to the HotelloTOP Year Event on 14 January 2026 worth €235 and a ticket for a 2-day personal development training at Trilogica Inner Balance Center worth €1,595.

Jan Vlasman

A former student of the Hotel Management School Maastricht, teacher of wine knowledge and skills and passionate organiser of wine tours, Jan Vlasman dedicated his life to educating hotel school students. Ethics, manners and decency were the basis on which he was able to inspire everyone and everything around him. The Jan Vlasman Award will honour his outstanding contribution at all times. 

Jury members Jan Vlasman Award 2025:

• Frank Donker - Chairman
• Charles van Goch - Stadsbrouwerij Maastricht 
• Richard Tam - The New East 
• Richard van Leest - WineSTEP 
• Peter van Houtert - Verbunt Verlinden 
• Mark Leenhoven - Delta Wines
• Thijs Merks - Grand Hotel Maastricht 
• Stephan Stokkermans - Huis ter Duin
• Gijs Hendrikx - Theater Hotel Venlo
• Max Brands - Smit&Dorlas 
• Kim Defaux - From OYS Maastricht Retreat 
• Bart Gijtenbeek - Walraven Sax
• Silvie Slachter - BBB Maastricht 
• Hans Wibbens - Postillion Hotels