Hospitality Fair Northern Netherlands well-attended

Workshops, professional competitions, and the finest, newest products and services in the hospitality sector—with the theme ‘professional knowledge and innovation’—attracted more than 2,000 visitors to the Martinikerk in Groningen on October 12, 2015.

With 70 stands and the new Lijfering Bierplaza, the fourth edition of the fair was once again larger and more diverse than in previous years. For instance, there was a stand from the Customs and Tax Authorities, where visitors could obtain information on quality marks, retention requirements, and excise duties, and attendees could try their luck for free at the Holland Casino roulette table. Naturally, there was plenty of tasting again, such as delicious snacks at the Culinaire Vakschool and De Kweker, among others, and drinks at Teulito mezcal and hemp tea – without THC – at Dutch Harvest.

At the well-attended Cocktail Plaza & Spirits, there were presentations by world-renowned cocktail masters Fjalar Goud, David Trampe, Andrew Nicholls, Marco de la Roche, Jorrit van Geel, and Lennart Deddens.

The annual professional competitions attracted a large audience, and rightly so, as the standard of the competitions was high. The Netherlands has gained a number of new hospitality stars: competition results.

WINNERS Ready Set Cook 2015
1. Dennis Brouwer – Eetcafé De Stadstuin – Groningen (Best Chef of the Northern Netherlands)
2. Thomas Beekhuis – Sterrebos Pavilion – Groningen
3. Pepijn Tjio – Steakhouse Andre Dokter – Groningen

From left to right: Pepijn, Dennis, Thomas.

WINNERS Northern Netherlands Taster Competition 2015
through to the final of the Dutch National Beer Tapping Championship in January 2016 at Horecava in Amsterdam
1. Bram Stob – The Black Sheep – Groningen
2. Marieke van Gaalen – Brasserie Bij van Boven – Groningen
3. Erwin Stokmans – Beach Club Lemmer – Friesland

From left to right: Erwin, Bram, Marieke.

WINNERS North Netherlands Barista Championships (NNBK) 2015
1. Kai Yasuda – Blonde Pater – Nijmegen (Best Barista of the Northern Netherlands
2. Niels in Vaanhold – Stadscafé Restaurant 't Feithhuis – Groningen
3. Gerben Engelkes – Black & Bloom – Groningen

From left to right: Kai, Niels, Gerben.

View the photos here: https://tinyurl.com/pyxlk5y