On Thursday, 28 November 2024, the Stichting Vakbekwaamheid hospitality (SVH), on behalf of the Best Hospitality Training Company committee, announced which training companies are in the Top 3 of the competition and which mentors are considered finalists.
The training companies competing for the title of Best Hospitality Training Company 2024/2025 are, in alphabetical order:
- Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk
- NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst, Noordwijkerhout
- Ron Gastrobar, Amsterdam
This year, the competition committee, consisting of representatives from SVH, SBB, KHN, De Horecabond, the MBO Raad, and previous winners De Werf and restaurant Het Noorden van Aalten, had the important task of determining which training companies and mentors would reach the final at Horecava 2025.
The Top 10 best training companies were visited by the expert jury in recent weeks. Over two hours, the training company was thoroughly examined regarding the culture and structure of learning and working. The expert jury literally got an extensive look into the kitchen. Of course, the training plan and vision on training were scrutinised. The results of the company visits were presented by the expert jury to the competition committee, after which the Top 3 was determined based on an objective score list.
The Top 3
Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst, and Ron Gastrobar distinguished themselves as the best training companies. During the jury visits, the companies stood out for their structured and clear training vision, with an individual approach for each student. The assignments during the nomination round were also best executed by these companies.
Ricardo Eshuis, director of SVH and chairman of the competition committee: "It is a competition for a reason. And in a competition, details often make the difference. This edition of Best Hospitality Training Company truly applies to that. No less than four companies received the maximum score from the expert jury. A unique occurrence in this wonderful competition. If we had wanted, we could have also compiled a Top 6 of top training companies that blend working and learning so well. These companies are also all great employers. And that is what we see more and more: good employers invest in people and thus also in learning. The training companies in the Top 3 excel in good cooperation with schools, participation in various industry activities, and have a lot of attention for the student as an individual. What stood out this year was the attention to the well-being of employees and thus also the students. There are projects to map and combat loneliness, but also projects focused on financial health. At some companies, there is even a specific employee employed to monitor this well-being, and courses and training are offered for body and mind. Through this approach, these training companies make working in hospitality more attractive and prepare a new generation that is extremely enthusiastic about the profession."
Best Hospitality Mentor
The role of the mentor is also highlighted again this year: they have a chance to win the title of Best Hospitality Mentor 2024/2025. The best mentor was identified during the expert jury visits to the Top 10 training companies. This award is intended for the mentor who stands out with their own qualities. The mentors who have a chance to win the title are, in alphabetical order:
- Jeroen Oosterveen, Ron Gastrobar, Amsterdam
- Mitchell Hendriks, Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, Noordwijk
Final
The training companies in the Top 3 will be visited and evaluated by the full competition committee on 10 December. After that, there will be an anxious wait for the results. The winning training company and the winning mentor will be announced during the final at Horecava 2025.
Why this competition
"The competition exists to continue working with training companies on the very best practical training for new hospitality employees and to encourage training companies to keep improving themselves. Good mentors and training companies are invaluable in training a new generation. That is why SVH organises this competition on behalf of the industry. The competition contributes to improving the quality of training in hospitality and provides insight into the most important developments within training companies. This is beneficial for individual training companies and the sector as a whole. In the fight for the title, aspects such as: does a training company devote sufficient time and attention to students and offer a safe learning environment, with a good balance between work and learning?" according to Eshuis.
More than 80 participants
The Best Hospitality Training Company competition is held annually and started in early September with the nomination and assignment round. Mentors, students, pupils, teachers, and staff from hospitality could nominate their favourite training companies for the coveted title during this round. Nominated training companies then completed assignments to show why they deserve the title. This year, around 80 training companies were nominated for this competition.
Previous winners of Best Hospitality Training Company
- 2023/2024: Het Noorden van Aalten in Aalten
- 2022/2023: De Werf in Veere
- 2019/2020: 't Havenmantsje in Harlingen
- 2018/2019: Van der Valk Hotel Sassenheim-Leiden
- 2017/2018: Het Hooihuis in Roosendaal
- 2016: DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station
- 2015: Vroeg in Bunnik
- 2014: Stempels Haarlem
- 2013: Hotel Greenside Texel
- 2012: McDonald’s Nederweert
- 2011: Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel
- 2010: Golden Tulip Tjaarda Oranjewoud
- 2009: Conferentiehotel Willibrordhaeghe in Deurne
- 2008: Restaurant Smits Koffiehuis in Amsterdam
- 2007: Landgoed De Wilmersberg in De Lutte
Previous winners of Best Hospitality Mentor
- 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