Celine Treffers of De Librije restaurant wins the 2026 National Hennessy Hospitality Award

Celine Treffers of De Librije restaurant in Zwolle has been named the winner of the 2026 National Hennessy Hospitality Award. This prestigious prize for young talent in the hospitality industry was presented for the 25th time this year. Perry Heneweer of Merlet in Schoorl came second, and third place went to Wietse van Eijsden of Central Park in Voorburg. The announcement was made on 2 November 2026 during the launch of the 2027 edition of the Lekker500 restaurant guide.

Celine (aged 25) was the best of ten candidates who, over the past six months, had competed for the title of the Netherlands’ best young host or hostess following a rigorous pre-selection process, theory and practical tests, and a visit from the judging panel. This year, 24 candidates took part in the theory day, ten of whom went through to the final. The theory and practical tests were held at the ROC Mondriaan campus in The Hague.

Impressive prize package

Not only did Celine take home the prestigious title, but she also received the challenge cup (a unique sculpture by artist Lou Thissen), a bottle of Hennessy Paradis worth €1,400 and a cash prize of no less than €2,500. Celine will also be invited to undertake a study visit to Hennessy’s renowned Château de Bagnolet.

Presenter Winston Gerschtanowitz announced the winner of the 2026 National Hennessy Hospitality Award (NHGP), after which Celine was presented with her prizes by Patrick van Zuiden, owner of Restaurant, Hotel & Spa Savarin and chair of the National Hennessy Hospitality Award committee. The ceremony took place during the festive launch of the 2027 edition of Lekker500 at the Koetshuis on the Parc Broekhuizen culinary estate in Leersum, where the very cream of Dutch gastronomy was in attendance.

Special prize for the best Hennessy cocktail

In addition to the top prize, the award for the best Hennessy cocktail was also presented. This went to Wietse van Eijsden from Central Park in Voorburg, who impressed the judging panel with a unique twist on the classic Manhattan, made with Fino sherry and Hennessy VS. For this, he received a WSET Spirits Level 2 course, offered by Edwines School.

NHGP Top 10 2026

1. Celine Treffers – De Librije, Zwolle
2. Perry Heneweer - Merlet, Schoorl
3. Wietse van Eijsden – Central Park, Voorburg
4. Sophie Pauws - Maeve, Utrecht
5. Michelle Leone - Éclusier, Bloemendaal
6. Youri van Dijk - Apicius, Bakkum
7. Sam Grimbergen – Restobar Harvey, Rijswijk
8. Thomas Blokdijk – Restaurant 212, Amsterdam
9. Mees Kooring – Lutum, Wijk bij Duurstede
10. Sjoerd van Dijk – Mearkas, Eastermar

Prominent expert jury

The participants were judged by a panel comprising prominent figures from the Dutch gastronomic scene, including Jean-Baptiste Billiet, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy Netherlands, as well as Bob Bron, Chair of the Stichting Samenwerking Gastronomische 4 and of Alliance Gastronomique. Also on the jury are Cees Helder, a leading figure in Dutch gastronomy; Patrick van Zuiden, owner of Restaurant, Hotel & Spa Savarin and chair of the committee for the National Hennessy Hospitality Award; and Nadine Mögling, SVH Master Hostess at restaurant Bij Jef. This year, SVH Master Hostess Cindy Borger is also a member of the jury. The chair of the NHGP jury is Edwin Raben, owner of Edwines School.

In addition, the chairpersons and representatives of the G4 form part of the judging panel: Bjorn Massop on behalf of JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, Frank Visser and Johan Kragtwijk on behalf of Les Patrons Cuisiniers, and Michael Hu on behalf of Fine Eastern Restaurants.

The jury also includes last year’s winner, Sanne Poppen (2025), former winners Pieter-Jan Kruithof (2024), Marèl Disselhorst (2023), Teide Schepers (2022) and Max Oude Veldhuis (2021) will be on the judging panel, as well as Lekker500 editor-in-chief Annelies Pijper, Lekker500 journalist Lisa Pover and hospitality manager, former chair of the JRE and incoming chair of the NHGP, Lex Gasseling.