We are back in action! The competition for Best Hospitality Training Company is in full swing again and nominations are open. Dozens of companies have already been nominated and are competing for this prestigious title. The competition is organised by the Foundation for Professional Hospitality Skills (SVH), on behalf of and for the hospitality sector. In addition to the award for Best Hospitality Training Company, the award for Best Hospitality Mentor is also presented. Both winners will be announced during Horecava 2026. Nominations can be submitted until 26 October 2025.
The nomination round has started!
Until Sunday, 26 October 2025, mentors, students, teachers, or staff can nominate their favourite training company in the hospitality sector. This can be done easily via www.besteleerbedrijfhoreca.nl. It is a wonderful way to show recognition and appreciation for the company, the staff, and the way they train. Additionally, training companies can also register themselves for the competition.
In the hospitality sector, the future of the profession is built daily. Thousands of training companies and mentors play an indispensable role in transferring Insights and experience. This experience on the work floor forms the basis for a successful career in hospitality. Their commitment is of lasting importance, as they make a difference for the next generation with Insights and passion.
Ricardo Eshuis, chairman of the Best Hospitality Training Company committee and director of SVH: “The aim of the competition is to encourage good employment practices and contribute to the best possible practical training for students and new hospitality employees. During the competition, several aspects are considered, such as whether a training company devotes enough time and attention to the students and whether it offers a safe learning environment with a good balance between work and learning. In the last edition, Hotel NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst won the title of Best Hospitality Training Company 2024/2025. Who will succeed them? Which recognised training company in the hospitality sector has organised practical learning so well that it deserves the title of Best Hospitality Training Company 2025/2026? I urge everyone to nominate their favourite training companies and for training companies to participate in the competition!”
Who will be Best Hospitality Mentor 2025/2026?
This year, mentors also have a chance to win the title of Best Hospitality Mentor. The 2024/2025 edition was an exceptional year: not one, but two mentors won awards. Jeroen Oosterveen from Ron Gastrobar and Mitchell Hendriks from Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin were both named Best Hospitality Mentor. A remarkable event that clearly shows the developments in the profession and that strong training companies are always connected with inspiring mentors.
The winner is selected by the committee from the training companies that reach the top 10 of the competition. As Eshuis emphasises: “Good mentors are invaluable. Sometimes a mentor excels so much that it makes a difference within a company. With this award, we want to highlight such professionals and encourage their company to grow further, so that quality is not only associated with one person but is widely supported.”
How does the competition proceed?
The nomination round and the assignment round have officially started! Everyone can now nominate their favourite hospitality training company, while the nominated companies can immediately start working on the assignments. These assignments can be completed until Sunday, 26 October 2025. For the participating training companies, they are available in a special dashboard via www.besteleerbedrijfhoreca.nl. With the assignments, the training companies have the chance to distinguish themselves, excel, score points, and compete with each other. The following components must be submitted for the assignments:
- A video pitch showing why the training company is the best
- The training plan of the company
- A testimonial from a student about the company
Bonus points can be earned with a public assignment, where training companies engage their network to vote for them. If they manage to collect 150 votes, this will earn extra points in the score. This element actively involves the public in the competition. To prevent training companies with a large following from having an advantage over smaller organisations, the 150 or more votes collected will earn the same amount of bonus points for everyone.
Prize Membership
The winning training company will receive:
- An award
- A wall plaque with the title
- A framed photo of the entire team taken by a professional photographer
- A lunch with an SVH Master of choice, including a tour.
- A wildcard for the national competition for best training company for all sectors organised by SBB
Top 10 and top 3
At the beginning of November, it will be announced which training companies have reached the top 10. These companies will then be visited by SVH, who will also assess the points scored in the assignments on the work floor. The findings will be discussed with the full committee, after which the top 3 of the competition will be determined.
The competition committee consists of representatives from SVH, SBB, KHN, De Horecabond, secondary vocational education, and previous winners Hotel NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst and Het Noorden van Aalten. In December, the full committee visits the three finalists. Based on assessment criteria, it will then be determined which training company may receive the title of Best Hospitality Training Company 2025/2026 during Horecava.
The ultimate winner of the title Best Hospitality Mentor will also be announced during Horecava.
Nominate your best training company now or register as a training company at www.besteleerbedrijfhoreca.nl and participate in the assignments!
Image: photographer Martijn van Dam