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.

The upcoming JRE-International Award winners will be announced at the JRE-International Congress, taking place on April 19–20 in Cologne, Germany.

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.

The nominees are:

• Vitus Winkler from Kräuterreich by Vitus Winkler in Austria

• Seppe Bleus from De Fakkels in Belgium

• Marko Gajski from LD Restaurant in Croatia

• Maxime Roullier from Le Saint Paul in France

• Frédéric Morel from Coeur d’Artichaut in Germany

• Federico Beretta from Feel in Italy

• Rick Blanken from Ledeboer in the Netherlands

• Igor Jagodic from Strelec in Slovenia

• Javi Estévez from La Tasquería in Spain

• Björn Inniger from Alpenblick in Switzerland

• Vladimir Kučera from Delirium Silence in Serbia

SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR - powered by Marchesi 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.

The nominees are:

• Hans-Jörg Unterrainer from Kirchenwirt Leogang seit 1326 in Austria

• Tijs Coessens from Les Abris in Belgium

• Branimir Vukšić from Pelegrini in Croatia

• Johanna Roullier from Le Saint Paul in France

• Moritz-Christian Brand from Hotel Stadt Kassel in Germany

• Saverio di Gennaro from Quintessenza in Italy

• Lino de Vrede from Au Coin des Bons Enfants in the Netherlands

• Martin Mahorčič from Gostilna Mahorčič in Slovenia

• Cynthia Lauper from Aux Trois Amis in Switzerland

• Barny Taylor from The Dysart Petersham in the United Kingdom

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.

The nominees are:

• Clemens Grabmer from Waldschänke in Austria

• Jo Grootaers from Alter in Belgium

• Ivan Badurina from Badi in Croatia

• Nicolas Durif from L’Hysope in France

• Jan-Philipp Berner from Söl’ring Hof in Germany

• Alessandro Tormolino from Sensi in Italy

• Hanneke Verstappen-Jacobs from De Beejekurf in the Netherlands

• Katarina Berglez Volčič from Monstera Estate in Slovenia

• Carito Lourenço from Fierro in Spain

• Daniel Lehmann from Moosegg in Switzerland

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.

The nominees are:

• Klemens Gold from Rau – Nature-Based Cuisine in Austria

• Didier Bourdeaux from Maison D. in Belgium

• Bernard Korak from Korak in Croatia

• Pricillia Lebon from L’Ogustin in France

• Daniel Schmidthaler from Alte Schule Fürstenhagen in Germany

• Paolo Trippini from Trippini in Italy

• Laurent Smallegange from Spetters in the Netherlands

• Sabina Repovž from Gostilna Repovž in Slovenia

• Borja Marrero Vázquez from Muxgo in Spain

• Patrick Germann from Bären in Switzerland

RE·GENERATION AWARD - powered by Carpigiani

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 Carpigiani, we honour the Chef who shows authenticity in the pursuit of both excellence and creativity.

The nominees are:

• Jeremias Riezler from Walserstuba in Austria

• Stefaan de Proft from Pacht 26 in Belgium

• Teo Fernetich from San Rocco in Croatia

• Annett Teich from BK in France

• Tobias Bätz from Aura in Germany

• Massimiliano Mascia from San Domenico in Italy

• Bart Leussink from The Church in the Netherlands

• Leon Pintarič from Gostilna Rajh in Slovenia

• José Antonio Medina from Coto de Quevedo in Spain

• Philippe Deslarzes from Njørden in Switzerland

• Vladislav Penov from Cosmos in Bulgaria

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.

The nominees are:

• Hannes Müller from Die Forelle in Austria

• Jeremy Vandernoot from Yirmi in Belgium

• Stiven Vunić from Konoba Zijavica in Croatia

• Bastien Djait from Maison Brut-Paris in France

• Maurizio Oster from Zeik in Germany

• Sabina Villaraggia from Villa Pizzini in Italy

• Pasquale Carfora from Aroma in the Netherlands

• Luka Košir from Grič in Slovenia

• Coco Montes from Pabú in Spain

• Reto Gadola from Casa Alva in Switzerland