Which hotel in Sweden serves the best breakfast? Where can you find the finest bar, the most innovative restaurant, the best coffee, and the most impressive wine list?
On March 10, the premiere of the Culinary Hotel Awards will take place, an award celebrating food and beverage experiences in Swedish hotels. We spoke with Niklas Waclaw, event manager at Berns and a member of The Advisory Board.
The winners will be announced at Berns on March 10, 2025.

Interview with Niklas Waclaw

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and what you do today?
I have worked in the hotel and restaurant industry for 15 years, covering most aspects of the business. Everything from conferences, weddings, restaurants, bars, and hotels to fine dining. Most recently, I was the restaurant manager at Görvälns Slott and worked with events at Villa Dagmar, where I was also the head sommelier. Before that, I was a sommelier at Aloë. Today, I work at Berns as F&B and event manager and have been here for 2.5 years. Besides that, I also engage in buying and selling wine, which is one of my biggest interests.

Berns is a large venue. What has been the most challenging aspect compared to your previous workplaces?
The scale of the events. I have never worked at a place with the capacity we have here at Berns, where we can host up to 1,500 guests simultaneously. While the job itself is the same, the sheer capacity makes a big difference, especially regarding logistics. Nightclubs, restaurants, hotels—all operating simultaneously. The biggest challenge has been managing the Berns Event brand, elevating and developing it. It has been both rewarding and challenging, but I am incredibly proud of the product we have today. What excites me even more is that this venue will continue to nurture talent, as the opportunities here are vast.

What is the Hotel Culinary Award?
It is organized by the same people behind the Swedish Gastronomy Award, which is being held at Berns for the second consecutive year. Over six months, the jury has traveled across Sweden—from Ystad in the south to Riksgränsen in the north—visiting both well-known hotels and hidden gems. This is a comprehensive award focusing solely on hotels, evaluating elements like fika (Swedish coffee breaks), capacity, banquets, and breakfast, which might not always seem exciting but are crucial for a hotel’s financial success. Many skilled professionals in large hotel chains and other operations often go unrecognized, and this award aims to change that.

What has been your role in this?
I have been part of the Advisory Board, along with many big names in the hotel F&B industry. We developed categories and awards together. I was invited to contribute to the creation of a new award, and we at Berns were honored to host the event. Within the Advisory Board, we worked on selecting categories, deciding invitees, and shaping the gala’s structure. Our goal was to fill a gap—many of the most profitable venues are linked to hotels but rarely qualify for gastronomy awards. Of course, there are exceptions, like Bank Hotel’s bar Le Hibou, where Adam Myrqvist won Bartender of the Year. Ultimately, Berns is extremely honored to host this event and welcome so many talented professionals.

Why do you think this is important?
There has been a gap in restaurant industry awards—most focus on Michelin-starred establishments or trendy hipster venues. This award broadens the scope, celebrating both staff and establishments. We must not forget that most people regularly eat conference lunches—it is a significant part of everyday life, so why shouldn’t it be recognized?

How did you decide on the award categories?
We identified gaps in the industry, considering conference and hotel F&B operations. Instead of highlighting individuals in beverage categories, we focused on venues with a strong beverage offering. The Hotel Culinary Award only has two categories for individuals. Nominees were selected and then underwent interviews to demonstrate their suitability. Around 100 jury members, all active or well-established in F&B, participated in the selection process.

Some of the key categories include:

• Breakfast and Coffee Award, recognizing overlooked but crucial aspects of the guest experience.
• Conference and Banquet Award, a new category highlighting excellence in hosting events.
• Sustainable Award, emphasizing hotels’ high sustainability standards.
• Interior Award, recognizing establishments that create a holistic impression through design

“Interior Award” är något som vi har valt att lyfta för det sätter helhetsintrycket för stället.

Hotellens Hotell 2025

Just over 100 people connected to food and beverage in hotels vote for the hotels in Sweden they believe offer the best gastronomic overall experience. This is the industry’s own award!
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• At Six, Stockhol
• Bank Hotel, Stockholm
• Berns Hotel, Stockholm
• Clarion Hotel Draken, Göteborg
• Clarion Hotel Malmö Live, Malmö
• Clarion Hotel Post, Göteborg
• Elite Eden Park Hotel, Stockholm
• Ellery Beach House, Stockholm
• Ett Hem, Stockholm
• Falkenberg Strandbad, Falkenberg
• Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
• Haymarket by Scandic, Stockholm
• Hotel Diplomat, Stockholm
• Hotel Frantz, Stockholm
• Lydmar Hotel, Stockholm
• Miss Clara By Nobis, Stockholm
• Niehku Mountain Villa, Riksgränsen
• PM & Vänner, Växjö
• Stockholm Stadshotell, Stockholm
• Stora hotellet, Umeå
• Talldungen Gårdshotell, Brösarp
• The Lamp Hotel, Norrköping
• The Steam Hotel, Västerås
• Villa Dagmar, Stockholm
• Villa Dahlia, Stockholm

Breakfast Award 2025

The category evaluates breakfast from a holistic perspective, considering sustainability, logistics, selection, ingredient quality, and communication with guests.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Bank Hotel, Stockholm
• Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
• Hotel Ruth, Stockholm
• Kalk Hotel, Visby
• Lydmar Hotel, Stockholm
• PM & Vänner, Växjö
• Scandic Downtown Camper, Stockholm
• Stora Hotellet, Umeå
• Sånga Säby Hotel & Konferens, Svartsjö
• Örum 119, Löderup

Coffee Award 2025

The category highlights hotels with an exceptional commitment to coffee, primarily from a quality and sustainability perspective.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Bank Hotel, Stockholm
• Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
• Granen Hotell & Restaurang, Åre
• Granö Beckasin, Granö
• Hotel Ruth, Stockholm
• Hotell Skepparholmen, Nacka
• NOFO Hotel, Stockholm
• Nääs Fabriker Hotell & Restaurang, Tollered
• Stockholm Stadshotell, Stockholm
• Örum 119, Löderup

Wine Award 2025

The category rewards hotels that dedicate exceptional attention to wines, considering selection, expertise, sustainability, and innovation.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Clarion Hotel Draken, Göteborg
• Eriksberg, Trensum
• Ett Hem, Stockholm
• Fjällnäs Hotel, Tänndalen
• Granen Hotell och Restaurang, Åre
• NOFO Hotel, Stockholm
• PM & Vänner Hotel, Växjö
• Stockholm Stadshotell, Stockholm
• Talldungens Gårdshotell, Brösarp
• Victory Hotel, Stockholm

Bar Award 2025

The category rewards bars that stand out from the crowd; those that can compete with international hotel bars in terms of quality, selection, ambiance, and service.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Above, Scandic Göteborg Central, Göteborg
• Americain, Haymarket by Scandic, Stockholm
• Bar Brahe, Hotel Reisen, Stockholm
• Cadierbaren, Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
• Clarion Hotel Malmö Live, Malmö
• Hotellbaren, Diplomat Hotel, Stockholm
• Le Hibou, Bank Hotel, Stockholm
• Stora Hotellet, Umeå
• Turbine Lounge, Steam Hotel, Västerås
• Watson’s Bar, Hotel Rival, Stockholm

Conference and Banquet Award 2025

The category highlights hotels that offer unique, sustainable, and memorable events for both large and small groups, with food and beverage at the heart of the experience.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Berns Hotel, Stockholm
• Blique by Nobis, Stockholm
• Falkenberg Strandbad, Falkenberg
• Hotel Skansen, Båstad
• Hotel Tylösand, Halmstad
• Nääs Fabriker Hotel & Restaurang, Tollered
• Scandic Continental, Stockholm
• Såstaholm, Stockholm
• Åhus Seaside, Åhus

Green Award 2025

The category rewards hotels with a genuine commitment to increasing the share of plant-based foods and effectively communicating this to both staff and guests.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Clarion Hotel Tapetfabriken, Stockholm
• Clarion Hotel Sign, Stockholm
• Hooks Herrgård, Vaggeryd
• MJ’S, Malmö
• Scandic Oceanhamnen, Helsingborg
• Siggesta Gård, Värmdö
• Smådalarö Gård, Dalarö
• The Wood Hotel by Elite, Skellefteå
• Yasuragi, Saltsjö-boo
• Åkeshofs Slott, Stockholm

Sustainable Award 2025

The category highlights hotels with a strong focus on sustainability, where seasonality, origin, energy efficiency, food waste reduction, and guest communication play a key role.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Camp Ripan, Kiruna
• Granö Beckasin, Granö
• Görvälns slott, Stockholm
• Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
• Högbo Brukshotell, Sandviken
• Lindeborgs Eco Retreat, Nyköping
• Scandic Kiruna, Kiruna
• Scandic Laholmen, Strömsta
• Sånga Säby Hotell & Konferens, Svartsjö
• Wanås Hotel Restaurant, Knislinge

Chef Award 2025

The category rewards head chefs and cooks with a unique gastronomic expression, where ingredients, craftsmanship, presentation, and taste are highly valued.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Alexander Carnolf, Hotel Skeppsholmen, Stockholm
• Andreas Albrektsson, Clarion Hotel Sea U, Helsingborg
• Gustav Otterberg, Villa Foresta, Stockholm
• Jakob Brännberg, Hotel Diplomat, Stockholm
• Jonas Svensson, Elite Hotels
• Leo Frodell, Ett Hem, Stockholm
• Mattias Jönsson Caesar, The Norrmans Castle, Genarp
• Peter Andersson, Lindeborgs Eco Retreat, Nyköping
• Petra Hed, Åkeshofs Slott, Stockholm
• Sofia B. Olsson, Clarion Hotel Post, Göteborg

Food & Beverage Manager Award 2025

The category highlights role models and gastronomic leaders who inspire and develop both food and people.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Camila Bianco, Ad Astra by Elite, Södertälje
• Carina Brydling, The Wood Hotel by Elite, Skellefteå
• Charlotta Nordevik, Clarion Hotel Post, Göteborg
• Daniel Grahnlöf, Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Åre
• Jonny Hamnell, Quality Hotel View, Malmö
• Liam Ginnane, Vår Gård, Saltsjöbaden
• Sabina Dahlin, Clarion Hotel Sign, Stockholm
• Stefan Johansson, Högbo Brukshotell, Sandviken
• Ulrika Thörn, Quality Hotel The Box, Linköping
• Victor Söderberg, Scandic Continental, Stockholm

Interior Award 2025

The category highlights hotels that demonstrate a commitment to ambiance and design, including clothing, table linens, napkins, materials, and packaging related to food and beverages.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Aspenäs Herrgård, Lerum
• Billingehus Hotell & Möte, Skövde
• Färna Herrgård & Spa, Skinnskatteberg
• Hotel Riverton, Göteborg
• Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
• Nääs Fabriker, Tollered
• Vår Gård, Saltsjöbaden
• Scandic Göteborg Central, Göteborg
• Smådalarö Gård, Dalarö
• Smögens Hafvsbad, Smögen

Food & Beverage Award 2025

The category rewards hotels with a strong focus on sustainability, leadership, personality, and new gastronomic initiatives that create added value for guests.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Billingehus Hotell & Möte, Skövde
• Clarion Hotel Draken, Göteborg
• Ellery Beach House, Stockholm
• Falkenberg Strandbad, Falkenberg
• Haymarket by Scandic, Stockholm
• Hotel Fratelli, Karlstad
• Hotel Villa Anna, Uppsala
• Maryhill Estate, Landskrona
• Quality Hotel Match, Jönköping
• Scandic Oceanhamnen, Helsingborg

Restaurant Award 2025

The category celebrates restaurants that offer an experience where creativity, ingredient quality, service, and sustainability take center stage.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Ett hem, Stockholm
• Gotthards Krog, Stora Hotellet, Umeå
• Hotell Skepparholmen, Nacka
• Mathias Dahlgren Matbaren, Grand Hôtel , Stockholm
• Matsalen, PM & Vänner, Växjö
• Niehku Mountain Villa, Riksgränsen
• Restaurang WS, Villa Foresta, Lidingö
• Villa Skärtofta, Vår Gård, Saltsjöbaden
• VRÅ, Clarion Hotel Post, Göteborg
• Äng, Ästad Vingård, Tvååker

Innovation Award 2025

The category celebrates ideas, projects, initiatives, and efforts that contribute to the development of both the individual hotel and the hotel industry as a whole.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• 50/50-färsen – Clarion Hotel Sign, Stockholm
• Bär i stället för apelsin – The Wood Hotel by Elite, Skellefteå
• Godhetsstrategin – Såstaholm, Täby
• Kaffesump – Clarion Hotel Umeå, Umeå
• Klimatmärkta konferensmenyer – Scandic, Sverige
• Meet the Locals – Best Western Hotels&Resorts, Sverige
• NÒR – Strawberry, Sverige
• Takodlingen – Clarion Hotel Post, Göteborg
• Växtbaserat på tillväxt – Scandic Hotels, Sverige
• We Care – Hållbarhetskoncept Strawberry, Sverige

The Special Ones 2025

The category celebrates extraordinary experiences; accommodations that put Sweden on the international hotel map.
The nominees are presented in alphabetical order.

• Arctic Bath, Harads
• Arilds vingård, Arild
• Fabriken Furillen, Lärbro
• Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi
• Pater Noster, Hamneskär
• Salt & Sill, Klädesholmen
• Trakt Forest, Holsbybrunn
• Stelor, Västergårn
• Treehotel, Harads
• Upperud 9:9, Åsensbruk