CDRE France Trophy 2026: when Dans le Noir? brings inclusion to the heart of the restaurant industry

On 19 and 20 March 2026, the 24th edition of the CDRE France Trophy (Club des Directeurs de la Restauration et d’Exploitation) took place in the Lyon region, at Institut Lyfe, a leading institution in hospitality and catering education.

The event brought together the talents of tomorrow through demanding and professional challenges. This 2026 edition was driven by a strong theme: inclusion. A topic that lies at the very heart of Dans le Noir ?’s DNA, invited this year as a committed stakeholder. The group was represented by Chanael Lenoir, CEO of Dans le Noir ? International and patron of the event, alongside David Dortu, guide-waiter and trainer.

A look back at an immersive experience at the crossroads of knowledge-sharing, management and engagement.

For over 35 years, CDRE France has brought together restaurant and operations directors from prestigious establishments, mainly four- and five-star hotels and palaces.

With nearly 140 members, this network plays a structuring role within the sector. It fosters exchanges between professionals, promotes hospitality professions and contributes to the evolution of industry practices.

Its annual trophy reflects this commitment by highlighting future talents through a demanding competition that assesses technical, strategic and managerial skills.

For this new edition, candidates were asked to step into the role of Event Director within an international group, tasked with designing a full catering offer and event experience in an exceptional venue.

A demanding brief combining strategic thinking, operational implementation and creativity, closely aligned with the realities of hospitality and catering professions.

In this context, Dans le Noir ?’s participation made perfect sense. Since its creation, the concept has been built on a unique sensory and human experience, driven by a strong commitment: promoting the skills of people with disabilities, particularly visual impairments, and changing perceptions of difference.

Over two days, finalists were assessed through eight challenges designed to reflect the different dimensions of the profession:

• Project presentation
• Product knowledge
• Marketing and digital strategy
• Customer relations
• Teamwork and leadership

Among the new features of this edition, a collective workshop dedicated to team cohesion and a challenge focused on inclusion stood out.

To go beyond a purely theoretical approach, a practical challenge was co-designed with the Dans le Noir ? teams. Its aim: to place candidates in a real-life inclusive management situation, as close as possible to the realities of the field.

The scenario was simple yet deeply engaging. Participants, acting as directors, had to recruit a visually impaired sommelier, played by David Dortu.

The challenge unfolded in three stages: recruitment interview, managing a reluctant team, and reflecting on inclusion issues.

Designed as a genuine journey, this challenge revealed not only the candidates’ skills but also their convictions, confronting them with both the complexity and the richness of truly inclusive management.

The impact of this challenge extended far beyond the candidates themselves. Many CDRE France members were also deeply moved by this immersive experience.

David Dortu’s presence helped break down preconceived ideas and encouraged sincere, reality-based dialogue.

During the awards ceremony, Chanael Lenoir shared a strong belief: hospitality is above all a profession built on connection, encounters and humanity.

A blind tasting experience allowed participants to enjoy a sensory immersion, echoing the Dans le Noir ? concept and making the message both tangible and memorable.

The final was brought to a close with a gala evening held aboard a boat on the Rhône.

Three winners were honoured: Solenn Denigot won the 2026 edition, followed by Christina Truong in second place and Lou Corda, who completed the podium in third place.

Dans le Noir ?’s participation in the 2026 CDRE France Trophy highlights a clear conviction: inclusion is best understood when it is experienced.

In a sector where human interaction lies at the heart of every exchange, embedding inclusion into professional practices is not only a necessity, but a true driver of excellence.