November 7, 2022 · Team HG
For the tenth consecutive year, hospitality professionals were able to enjoy a day packed with hospitality experiences on Monday, October 31, at the Horeca Xperience in the Martinikerk in Groningen. The event, which started out as a Groningen get-together, has since grown into a well-attended networking event for the North. Especially for this day, the Martinikerk underwent a true metamorphosis, with no expense spared to convey the ultimate blend of hospitality and experience.
What is hip & happening in the hospitality industry, and which trends are yet to come? Visitors received comprehensive answers to these questions from the specialists at the various stands and wholesale squares. Street food, cocktails, traditional butchery, breweries, wine tastings, robotic fryers, and, of course, water- and energy-saving hospitality equipment. Visitors were able to enjoy themselves until the late hours. The partnership between 2Join light & sound and the students of the Noorderpoort stage technician thereby ensured a Martinikerk illuminated down to the last detail, with an enchanted atmosphere.
On the Klaar Af Kook In the square in the nave of the church, cooks engaged in the ‘cooking battle’ against each other for the title. Best Chef of Northern Netherlands 2022/2023 to secure, complete with a magnificent prize package. Under the watchful eye of the renowned professional jury, tensions ran high during the presentation of many dishes. Chefs who managed to reach the final then had to get to work with a black box full of ingredients, where it came down entirely to ingenuity and creativity. Chef Petra Rueva of Graansilo Eten & Drinken came in first place, much to her own surprise, and walked away with the title.
1st Petra Rueva – Grain Silo Food & Drink – Best Chef in Northern Netherlands
2nd Davy Zijlstra – Drink & Eatery Proefverlof
3rd Jordi Werkhoven – Grand Café de Waegh
4th Larissa van der Boom – Gusto wine & bar
The choir of the church formed the backdrop for the tap competitions and was soon filled after opening with enthusiastic bartenders from Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, and their supporters. In exciting tapping rounds, under the watchful eye of the jury, the entire process was observed, from rinsing glasses to serving draft and specialty beer. Amidst loud cheers, the professionally tapped glasses then landed on the jury table for a thorough examination amidst the many hospitality teams present.
1st Maaike van de Velde – The Coat of Arms of Ens – Qualification for national Horecava tap competition
2nd Marith van Dorsten – Restaurant Schokland – Qualification for national Horecava tap competition
3rd Aron Ruiter – Café Bolhuis – Qualification for national Horecava tap competition
The organization of Horeca Xperience looks back on a very successful tenth edition and has already started planning for next year. The eleventh edition will take place on Monday, October 16, 2023 in the Groninger Martinikerk be held. More info: Hospitality Xperience 2023
