Marèl Disselhorst of restaurant YANO wins National Hennessy Hospitality Award 2023

Marèl Disselhorst of restaurant YANO in Rotterdam has been named the winner of the National Hennessy Hospitality Award 2023. This prestigious prize for young hospitality talent was awarded for the 22nd time this year. Second was Wouter Barneveld of restaurant Merlet in Schoorl and the third prize went to Rens Morshuis of restaurant Aan de Poel in Amstelveen. Ricardo Kreutz won the award for the best cocktail. The announcement took place on 30 October 2023 during the launch of edition 2024 of restaurant guide Lekker500. 

22-year-old Marèl Disselhorst was the best of 27 candidates who competed for the prize for the best young host or hostess in the Netherlands over the past six months after a rigorous pre-selection, theory and practical tests and a jury visit. The theory and practical tests were held at the ROC Mondriaan location in The Hague. 

Besides the title, the winner also received the challenge trophy (a unique sculpture by artist Lou Thissen), a bottle of Hennessy Paradis worth €1,250 and a cash prize of no less than €2,500. Furthermore, she gets to make a study visit to Hennessy's renowned Château de Bagnolet. Ricardo Kreutz went home with the prize for the best Hennessy Cognac cocktail, winning a WSET Spirits course offered by Edwin Raben of Edwines School.

Presenter Winston Gerschtanowitz announced the winner of the National Hennessy Hospitality Award (NHGP) 2023, after which Marèl Disselhorst was presented with the awards by Bob Bron, director Moët Hennessy Netherlands and chairman of Stichting Samenwerking Gastronomische 4 (G4). The presentation took place during the festive launch of Lekker500 edition 2024 at Capital C in Amsterdam, where the absolute top of gastronomy was present.  

Chairman of the National Hennessy Hospitality Award Patrick van Zuiden: "In the current labour market with huge shortages of hostesses and hosts, it is important to recognise that a good black brigade largely determines your impression of a restaurant visit. A topper at the table is your coach for a beautiful culinary experience. In my view, hospitality is therefore not a job, but a mission." 

The participants were judged by a jury with prominent figures from Dutch gastronomy, including director of Moët Hennessy Netherlands and chairman of the G4 Bob Bron; the nestor of Dutch gastronomy Cees Helder; owner Restaurant, Hotel & Spa Savarin and chairman of the NHGP committee Patrick van Zuiden; SVH Meestergastvrouw of restaurant Bij Jef Nadine Mögling and jury chairman Edwin Raben.  

Also on the jury are the presidents of the G4: Gerard Wollerich on behalf of Alliance Gastronomique, Marko Karelse on behalf of JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, Frank Visser for Les Patrons Cuisiniers and Michael Hu on behalf of Fine Eastern Restaurants, as well as Lekker500 editor-in-chief Annelies Pijper, former restaurateur and former president of the G4 Lex Gasseling and journalist of De Telegraaf and delegated jury member Pieter Klein Beernink.

Former winners are also part of the jury, this time they were Teide Schepers (2022), Max Oude Veldhuis (2021 winner), Anne Marie Nijhof (2020), Tim Wellenberg (2019) and Sébastian van Zuiden (2018).

About the NHGP
The National Hennessy Hospitality Award was established in 1999 to take Dutch hospitality to the next level. The aim is to promote knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic hospitality. Under the banner of this title, the G4 (Alliance Gastronomique, JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, Les Patrons Cuisiniers and Fine Eastern Restaurants) work together. 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) and Nespresso are linked as partners. Although the competition is organised by the G4, entry is not tied to membership of a restaurant association. 

About Hennessy Cognac
Family company Hennessy was founded in 1765 by Richard Hennessy and is currently run by the eighth generation. The brand, which joined LVMH, the world's largest luxury conglomerate, in 1987, is the world's best-selling cognac. The versatile drink is served both in club life and at chic socialites, from New York to Tokyo and from Oslo to Cape Town. Hennessy has a strong connection with music and art, working with leading artists such as The Roots, Nas, Futura and Tom Dixon. Behind every bottle of cognac is a world of craftsmanship and precision. The unique wealth of knowledge dating back to the 18th century, the exceptional selection and the perfected ageing and blending process guarantee the best cognac until the last drop.