Presidency & Selection Committee 2026

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 hospitality and tourism industry.

Michel Stalport
President of Chapter 2026

Trained at Namur Hotel School and the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Michel Stalport is a senior international executive specializing in the strategic development and management of the global hospitality industry. From Hilton International EMEA to The Walt Disney Company, and later within the Radisson Hotel Group, his career reflects sustained leadership at the highest levels of the sector.

Having progressed through all operational and executive tiers — from Regional Director F&B and General Manager to Vice-President Eastern Europe & Russia — he currently serves as Senior Advisor to Radisson Hotel Group (since December 2022). He is widely regarded as a respected and influential figure within the European hotel industry.

The selection of the winners of the European Hotel Awards is not linked to a competition, but rather guided by thoughtful choices that take into account the very essence of the hotels recognized for their exceptional qualities. Everyone shares a common goal: to make the customer experience as meaningful as possible, while integrating sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

Jérôme Chapman
Founder & Executive Director

Jérôme Chapman is the Founder and Executive Director of the European Hotel Awards, an independent European recognition platform dedicated to executive leadership and excellence within the 4- and 5-star hospitality sector.

With a background in legal studies in France and an international professional trajectory spanning Europe, the Caribbean and the United States, he built his career at the intersection of luxury hospitality, multimedia publishing and high-level public relations. His experience includes the creation of specialized hotel and gastronomy media platforms, premium radio programmes focused on the high-end hospitality industry, and public relations management for Hollywood film productions during the Cannes Film Festival.

Working closely with senior executives and general managers of European luxury hotels, he established the European Hotel Awards as a structured, credibility-driven framework recognizing leadership, operational excellence and service distinction across Europe’s 4- and 5-star hospitality landscape.

As Executive Director, he defines and oversees the governance architecture and long-term strategic direction of the programme, ensuring its independence, institutional coherence and rigorous selection standards.

“The European Hotel Awards are founded on independence, discretion and rigorous selection standards. Recognition must reflect leadership, consistency and a sustained commitment to excellence.”

Stefano Brancato
Honorary Member 2026
Vice President – Honorary

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, the highest of Monegasque distinctions, ahead of the Order of Grimaldi.

“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.”

Miguel Maugi Santos
Honorary Member 2026
Vice President – F&B Selection

Miguel Maugi Santos, a distinguished leader in the hospitality F&B sector, has proudly accepted the role of Vice-President of Selection for the Food and Beverage Manager of the Year at the European Hotel Awards. Possessing a profound academic foundation with Master’s degrees from the University of Lisbon and Budapest Business School, Miguel contributes unmatched expertise. Notably, his role as Corporate Director of Food and Beverage at Vila Galé Hotels, leading 28 hotels (36 restaurants and 42 bars) in Portugal and 10 in Brazil, has been exemplary, enhancing revenue, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction extensively. Miguel’s adeptness in F&B management shines through his innovative culinary strategies, effective team leadership, and market trend acumen. His involvement in the European Hotel Awards underscores his dedication to advancing the hospitality industry’s standards, signifying a promising outlook for F&B distinction in Europe.

“As Honorary Member of the Selection Committee at the European Hotel Awards, I am honored to contribute to excellence in F&B services, uniting passion and expertise to elevate our industry.”

Thierry Lavalley
Permanent Honorary Board Member

Professional in the hotel industry for more than 40 years, Thierry Lavalley is a highly experienced General Manager in the luxury hotel sector: Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts, Kempinski Hotels and Accor Group – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. He was also President of the Société des Hôteliers de Genève for several years, responsible for defending the interests and rights of Geneva hoteliers. Holder of numerous international accolades and awards, Thierry Lavalley is recognized by the world hotel industry as a high-level personality.

“ The European Hotel Awards are a great initiative to highlight the hotel industry in Europe. Since their creation, I fully support the institutional spirit of these awards. “

Albert Rouwendal
Honorary Member

Albert Rouwendal, a Dutch national, is a leading international hospitality professional with years of experience and success under his belt. He was until recently Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the Benelux region of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, based in Amsterdam. He also 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 Mövenpick in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Albert Rouwendal is an expert in the luxury hospitality sector.

“As Honorary Member of the European Hotel Awards, I am very honored to participate in the promotion of our peers in search of excellence.”

Romain Fornell
Honorary Member

Romain Fornell, a celebrated and masterful chef, holds the esteemed position of Permanent Honorary Member for Gastronomy on our Board. His remarkable expertise and discerning qualities play a pivotal role in the selection of chefs for hotels and hotel restaurants, as well as in determining the winners who best represent the essence of hotel gastronomy. As the Owner and CEO of ” Goût Rouge “, a distinguished group of restaurants based in Barcelona, Romain embarked on his culinary journey at the tender age of 15. His unwavering passion and dedication to the culinary arts earned him his first Michelin star at just 24. Subsequently, he relocated to Barcelona to helm the renowned restaurant Caelis, which continues to hold its Michelin Star under his exceptional leadership.

“I am deeply honored to serve as an advisor for the European Hotel Awards, overseeing the selection of Restaurants and Chefs across Europe. It is a true pleasure for me to spotlight the exceptional talents within the realm of gastronomy.”

Guillaume Gomez
Honorary Member

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 member of the presentation of the “European Hotel Awards by References”. Paris, March 21, 2017.”

Michele Florentino
Honorary Member

Michele Florentino is a public speaker, writer and specialist in hospitality, gastronomy, wine and tourism. Michele Florentino is Knight of the Order of Grimaldi, Monegasque Medal of Merit, Knight Officer of Ordine della Stella d’Italia – the Order of the Star of Italy (2012), awarded by Mr. Giorgio Napolitano (President of the Italian Republic 2006–2015). Michele Florentino was also a member of the Board of the Association of Italian Hoteliers, Co-founder and Board Member of the AIS (Italian Association of Sommeliers), among many other institutional roles. A writer in oeno-gastronomy, he is the author of the bestseller Brevi storie di vino e donne, prefaced by Maria Rita Parsi and Arrigo Cipriani, owner of the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy.

“Very honored to be part of the Honorary Members of the European Hotel Awards, I am truly passionate about contributing to the promotion of the hotel and gastronomy industry in Europe.”

All members of the Selection Committee (referred to as the Board) hold honorary titles only. Their role is strictly limited to the deliberation and voting process for the selection of award recipients. These honorary positions confer no rights or responsibilities beyond this scope. Board members are not involved in the organisation, funding, or legal management of the European Hotel Awards, nor in the company that oversees the programme. The composition of the Board may evolve from year to year to reflect the diversity and independence of the selection process.

All honorary members are implicitly bound by a strict duty of confidentiality regarding the selection process and the annual deliberation of award recipients. This obligation is inherent to the nature of their role.

For the full legal framework and safeguards, please refer to our

Governance & Legal Safeguards