Where memories are made

On 2 September 2019 Pierre Haenen will start as General Manager at Château Neercanne.

Currently, Pierre Haenen (28) works as Manager Bistrot de Liège at Château St. Gerlach. Pierre will succeed Peter Harkema, who retires after 35 years as General Manager at Château Neercanne. “Château Neercanne breathes beauty and history and from a gastronomic standpoint this house is famous for its high-end craftsmanship and hospitality. Being born and raised in the province of Limburg it is a great honour and challenge to take on this new role and to surprise our guests with culinary delights and create new memories together with my colleagues.” – says Pierre.

Since 2015 Pierre held multiple positions at Oostwegel Collection. Starting at Château St. Gerlach as a waiter, he progressed into a Reservations Employee, Guest Relations Coordinator and, since December 2017, Manager of Bistrot de Liège. “It is great to have Pierre take the role of General Manager at Château Neercanne. It is a prime example how our ‘Talent Factory’ truly facilitates career path planning for our associates. His ambition, creativity, commercial instinct and relationship building qualities make Pierre the right person for the job. I look forward to working with him and building on Neercanne and Oostwegel Collection’s future”. – says Camille Oostwegel jr.

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Oostwegel Collection is nominated for “Best hotel group”, furthermore both Château St. Gerlach and Kruisherenhotel Maastricht qualify for 3 different awards.

Nominations for Château St. Gerlach and Kruisherenhotel Maastricht in 3 categories

The organisation of Prix Villégiature Awards announced that Oostwegel Collection is nominated for their award “Best hotel group”. Furthermore are Château St. Gerlach and Kruisherenhotel Maastricht separately nominated in 3 different categories. Château St. Gerlach qualifies for the awards “Best Service in a hotel in Europe, with more than 80 rooms”, “Best restaurant in a hotel in Europe” and “Best artistic contribution in a hotel in Europe”. Also Kruisherenhotel Maastricht is nominated in 3 categories: “Grand Prix Best Charming Hotel in Europe”, “Best service in a hotel in Europe, with less than 80 rooms” and “Best artistic contribution in a hotel in Europe”. “We are very thrilled about the nominations for the Prix Villegiature Awards for our properties and Oostwegel Collection as Best Hotel Group. This is truly a sign of appreciation for our teams who day in and day out provide the highest possible level of service to our guests. Our local family business is unique and to then get recognized alongside other world famous hotel groups is fantastic.” says Camille Oostwegel jr., Director Business Development.

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Since August 1984 Peter Harkema has been the General Manager at the Château.

35 years General Manager at Château Neercanne

Peter Harkema shared that he will hand over the management of the only terraced castle in the Netherlands on his 65^th birthday in September 2019. Over the past 35 years Peter, his wife Ans and the entire team, have built Château Neercanne to become one of the most well-known and best restaurants in the Benelux. Château Neercanne is a culinary institution where many guests – domestic and abroad – enjoy the unique, hospitable ambiance and high gastronomic level each day.

Over the past 35 years many young cooks and waiters have been mentored by Peter and developed their passion for gastronomy. Many of today’s well-known chefs were educated in Neercanne’s kitchen.
“In 35 years one can really build something beautiful together. Our purpose has always been to be authentic hosts to our guests. Truly caring and showing empathy for your guests really makes them feel ‘drunk’ on happiness, even without a glass of wine.”, says Peter Harkema.

Transition

Owner Camille Oostwegel sr. says: “We respect Peter and Ans’ decision to handover the general management to a talented young successor, which is important for the future of the unique Château. We thank Peter and Ans sincerely for their entrepreneurial spirit in the way they led Neercanne – and in the opening phase also Château St. Gerlach – and therefore the contribution they made to Oostwegel Collection as a whole.”
Oostwegel Collection starts recruitment for a successor (F/M) immediately.

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