Celebrating Excellence
JRE International Awards
Awards 2026
At JRE, the pursuit of perfection defines everything we do. Our gifted Chefs and professionals go above and beyond each day to create unforgettable guest experiences. It is only fitting that we recognise and celebrate their dedication, passion, and achievements.
Every two years, during the JRE-International Congress, six prestigious awards are presented to honour outstanding contributions in 6 categories: Chef of the Year, Sommelier of the Year, Hospitality Award, Re·Generation Award, Origins Award, Sustainability Award.
On rare and special occasions, we also present the Never-ending Passion Award to a truly exceptional member whose commitment and talent surpass all expectations.
HOSPITALITY EXCELLENCE AWARD – powered by MASTERCARD
To dine at a JRE restaurant is to enjoy a seamless, perfectly executed fine dining experience. But behind the scenes, a team of true professionals guided by a talented Chef works tirelessly to ensure only the highest standards. Perfect, discreet, almost invisible. Never-ending passion is key in everything we do, to ensure that every experience is, Priceless.. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award in partnership with Mastercard is an homage to the Chef who is that distinctive Master.
“Unparalleled professionalism is harnessed to create a truly magical stay.”
Winners - HOSPITALITY EXCELLENCE AWARD
The winners are Jo Grootaers & Lana Kelchtermans from Alter in Belgium. Awarded by Alexia Leblanc from Mastercard, recognising outstanding teamwork in service and experience. Together, they define what seamless hospitality looks like.
CHEF OF THE YEAR – powered by PASTIFICIO DEI CAMPI
This young talent is driven by desire. To create cuisine that harmonizes with both personal values and philosophy, while offering an outstanding experience to every guest. This ultimate creator of flavour and taste demonstrates extraordinary skill and creativity, lifting gourmet standards to the highest level possible. Together with Pastificio dei Campi, we are proud to present the Talent of the Year Award to the ultimate creator of flavour and taste. "A new generation is inventing tomorrow's gourmet cuisine."
Winner - CHEF OF THE YEAR AWARD
The winner is Frédéric Morel from Cœur D’Artichaut in Germany. Awarded by Giuseppe di Martino from Pastificio dei Campi, recognising a strong culinary vision and consistent excellence. A clear contribution to the future of gastronomy.
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR – powered by ANTINORI
Our 2026 Sommelier Award winner shows great soul and spirit with regard to guest wellbeing. This sommelier creates a culture of excellence and ensures everything from a perfect ambiance to a carefully curated wine cellar, to the ability to support young professionals to excel in the art of service excellence. Together with Antinori, we give this Sommelier Award to the most outstanding JRE in this field.
“Since the beginning, we’ve prided ourselves on a warm welcome and excellent service.”
Winner - SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
The winner is Johanna Roullier from Le Saint Paul in France. Awarded by Vittorio Rimbotti Antinori from Marchesi Antinori, recognising excellence in wine, service and guest experience. A strong example of how knowledge and attention to detail elevate every moment at the table.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD – powered by MARIE-STELLA-MARIS
The winning Chef lives in harmony with the environment and takes great pride in that. Committed to serving fresh, sustainably produced, and ethically sourced ingredients, this Chef goes all the way to find the best local and seasonal produce. We honour the Chef as well as Marie-Stella-Maris for their dedication to sustainable development and raising awareness of how our choices impact the world around us.
“Respect for nature is one of our main, ongoing concerns.”
Winner - SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
The winners are Sabina Repovž & Grega Repovž from Gostilna Repovž in Slovenia. Awarded by Mieke van Engelen from Marie-Stella-Maris, recognising a shared commitment to responsible gastronomy.
From sourcing to service, their approach shows how sustainability can be fully embedded in the guest experience.
TASTE OF ORIGIN AWARD – powered by PARMIGIANO REGGIANO
JRE has been committed to keeping the tradition alive for over 50 years. Gathering together a veritable pool of talent. In the name of our peers and their art of long-standing expertise, we acknowledge today the Chef who focuses on the transfer of skills and knowledge. This winning Chef celebrates tradition using the past as an endless source of inspiration to create exceptional classical cuisine. Together with Parmigiano Reggiano, we salute the Chef who preserves the past and celebrates the future.
“Heritage is a dialogue between the past and the future.”
Winner - TASTE OF ORIGIN AWARD
The winner is Pasquale Carfora from Aroma in The Netherlands. Awarded by Simone Ficarelli from Parmigiano Reggiano, honouring a chef who keeps culinary heritage alive. By working with tradition as a foundation, they connect past and future through their cuisine.
RE·GENERATION AWARD – powered by VAIDER GROUP
Innovation is the key to progress. The winning chef in this category showcases the very best of innovative cuisine. Respecting culinary heritage, the chef constantly creates unexpected experiences and unique pleasures by using state-of-the-art techniques, this chef develops inspiring gastronomy and innovative dishes for the new era. In collaboration with Vaider Group, we honour the Chef who shows authenticity in the pursuit of both excellence and creativity.
"Combine the best of heritage with cutting-edge innovation to ensure an inspiring passage into the future."
Winner - RE·GENERATION AWARD
The winner is Massimiliano Mascia from San Domenico in Italy. Awarded by Christian Fröba from Vaider Group, honouring the Chef who shows authenticity in the pursuit of both excellence and creativity.
