Presidency & Selection Committee 2023

Presidency
& Selection Committee 2023

Each year, the selection committee, made up of European personalities, hospitality and gastronomy professionals, validates a list of potential candidates eligible for the European Hotel Awards accolades. The winners are recognized professionals from the world of hospitality or gastronomy.

Claudia Tapardel
Official Ambassador

Claudia Tapardel is a European public figure, a global public speaker and an enthusiastic entrepreneur, with a high expertise in european affairs, especially transport and tourism. She is the Founder and CEO of CT EU Affairs, a former Member of the European Parliament and Chair of European Tourism Intergroup. With a PhD in Management and Strategic Planning, she has an intensive political, legislative, negotiation, strategic communication and business management experience and skills.

“As official Ambassador of European Hotel Awards and former Member of European Parliament, I am so proud and motivated to bring my expertise to hotel & tourism sector in Europe”

Albert Rouwendal
Vice-President Hospitality

Albert Rouwendal, a Dutch national, is a leading international hospitality professional with years of experience and success under his belt. He was until recently Director of Operation Officer and General Manager for the Benelux of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, based in Amsterdam. And oversaw, as General Manager, Sunrise Kempinski and Yanqi Island hotels with a team of 1,000 employees. In his career, he has held several management positions for renowned international luxury hotel groups, including IHG, Shangri-La, Hilton, Kempinski and of course Movenpick in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Albert Rouwendal is an expert in the luxury hospitality sector.

“As Vice-President Hospitality of European Hotel Awards and Member of the board, I am very honored to participate in the promotion of ours peers in search of excellence”

Stefano Brancato
Vice-President F&B

Former general manager for 25 years of the famous and legendary Café de Paris in Monte-Carlo, Principality of Monaco, Stefano Brancato, of Italian nationality, is an expert in the F&B sector. At the head of the Café de Paris for a quarter of a century, with a team of 230 employees, in high season, and an average of 1,000 customers per day, Stefano Brancato has proven his high skills in this specific area. Recently, he was honored by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco with the title of: Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint Charles.

“For me, the European Hotel Awards represent a great opportunity to honor the best employees who provide excellent services to customers, in the F&B departments of hotels. This employment sector really needs recognition.”

Guillaume Gomez
Permanent Honorary President

Guillaume Gomez, former chef of the Presidency of the French Republic and president of the Chefs de la République. Since 2021, he has been appointed personal representative of the President of the Republic for gastronomy, food and the culinary arts.

“I accept with pleasure the permanent honorary presidency of the presentation of the “European Hotels Awards by References”. Paris, March 21, 2017.”