21-year-old Elizio Masson, from Poperinge, has been selected as Belgium's best sommelier or wine steward 2025. The West Fleming works at Hof van Cleve, the Michelin-star restaurant in Kruisem (East Flanders). Elizio earlier attended the Ter Duinen hotel and catering school in the West Flemish resort of Koksijde.
‘This is wonderful recognition, a dream come true,’ says Elizio. To win the title of Belgium's best sommelier, Elizio first had to pass several written and practical tests. ‘For example, we had to do a blind tasting, and then the three best contestants competed against each other in the final. It was quite exciting,’ Belgium’s best sommelier noted.
Hof van Cleve
The winner is a sommelier or wine steward at the Hof van Cleve in Kruisem (East Flanders). For a long time, this was the only three-star restaurant in Belgium. It found a new chef in charge in early 2024, when Peter Goossens handed over his kitchen to his right-hand man, Floris Van Der Veken. Today, the restaurant has two stars.
Bound for the world championship in Portugal next year
Next year, Elizio will attend the world championship for sommeliers in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. ‘My victory here is a good preparation for that,’ he explains.