On Wednesday, December 3rd, SVH, on behalf of the Best Hospitality Training Company committee, announced the three mentors who are in the running for the title of Best Hospitality Mentor 2025/2026. During the jury visits to the Top 10 Best Hospitality Training Companies, these professionals clearly stood out as exceptional guides with a keen eye for both craftsmanship and personal Your career.
The nominees are, in alphabetical order:
- Blanca Murillo Ehlhard, Hotel & Wellness Zuiver, Amsterdam
- Mattijs Kaptein, Restaurant Hotel Merlet, Schoorl
- Stan Kerckhoffs, Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk
Last year, the competition had an exceptional outcome: for the first time, two mentors ended up in first place. Both Jeroen Oosterveen (Ron Gastrobar, Amsterdam) and Mitchell Hendriks (Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk) were awarded the title of Best Hospitality Mentor. This year, the situation is different. Three mentors are competing for the title of Best Hospitality Mentor, with the jury emphasising that the quality of guidance at the top is very close. The diversity in their approach and personal training style makes this edition particularly exciting.
Mentors with impact on the workplace
During the visits, it was noticeable that these three mentors create a learning environment where Your career is a given. They combine expertise with patience, attention, and a clear vision on training. Students are challenged but also given the space to find their own pace.
What set them apart included:
- A clear structure in the guidance process;
- Customisation per student, suited to their level and ambitions;
- Close collaboration with schools and training partners;
- Visible attention to well-being, motivation, and personal growth;
- A clear intrinsic motivation to guide students and, for example, to conduct exams and participate in educational committees;
- A professional translation of the competition assignments into daily work.
Ricardo Eshuis, director of SVH and chairman of the competition committee: “The hospitality industry demands a lot, and that is precisely why good mentors are indispensable. They not only impart subject Insights to students but also ensure that they feel safe, seen, and taken seriously. This directly contributes to the enjoyment of the profession and the company's image. The three nominees demonstrate how significant the difference can be when a mentor truly invests in the person behind the student.”
Visit to the Top 3 and announcement at Horecava 2026
In the coming weeks, the three mentors will be visited by representatives of the committee. The discussions during the visits will form the basis for the final assessment. The entire committee will collectively determine the winner based on these visits, which will be announced during Horecava 2026.
Why this award is important
With the Best Hospitality Mentor competition, SVH aims to emphasise how important skilled and committed mentors are for the future of the hospitality industry. A mentor largely determines a student's experience, and thereby also the quality and attractiveness of the profession.
Previous winners of Best Hospitality Mentor
2024/2025: Jeroen Oosterveen, Ron Gastrobar, Amsterdam
Mitchell Hendriks, Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk
2023/2024: Christiaan Veldman from Grand Hotel De Draak in Bergen op Zoom
2022/2023: Mark Benneker from 't Kruisselt in De Lutte
2019/2020: Nita Huning-Koster from Het Noorden van Aalten