The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes wins prestigious International Emmy Award: “A tribute to the courage of participants and caregivers”

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 – Fantastic news from New York! The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes (Dutch title: Restaurant Misverstand) has won the prestigious International Emmy Award in the category Non-Scripted Entertainment. The heartwarming VRT 1 program triumphed over strong competitors: South Africa’s Die Brug, Mexico’s Me Caigo De Risa, and Australia’s The Summit. The International Emmy Awards honor the best television programs produced and broadcast outside the United States.

In The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, host Dieter Coppens and chef Seppe Nobels run a restaurant alongside eight people living with early onset dementia. The show aims to counter the misunderstanding often faced by people with early onset dementia, who are frequently forced to stop working, leading to a loss of self-confidence. The program seeks to change perceptions by showcasing what these individuals can still achieve after their diagnosis. Currently, an estimated 143,000 people live with dementia in Flanders, of whom approximately 4,500 are under 65 years old.

Dieter Coppens, host: “I’m absolutely thrilled! This award is a tribute to the courage shown by the participants and caregivers of The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, who opened their hearts and minds during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. We hope the program has demonstrated that, even in today’s fast-paced world, we can focus on what people can still do, ensuring everyone with an illness or condition can find their place in society.”

Seppe Nobels, chef: “I’m incredibly proud. The beauty and quality our team brought to the dishes, the warmth within the group, and the exceptional production value of the show have resonated far beyond our borders. It’s fantastic to win such an extraordinary international award with the entire team.”

The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes is a production by Roses Are Blue for VRT 1, in collaboration with Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen. Earlier this year, the program completed its third season, averaging around 926,000 viewers across its three seasons.

Frederik Delaplace, CEO of VRT: “The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes is a program that truly makes a difference, and now it’s receiving global recognition. Dieter Coppens and Seppe Nobels are the perfect guides to help the participants share their stories with openness and honesty. It’s remarkable to see how the courageous participants have put a face to early onset dementia. The show clearly struck a chord with viewers. Winning an International Emmy Award is no small feat. Flanders can be immensely proud of this achievement!”

Maarten Millen, creative director of Roses Are Blue: “This is incredible! Each time we embark on this touching and heartwarming adventure with the cast and their loved ones. To win such a prestigious award with a program about early onset dementia—an emotionally charged and challenging topic—means the world to us. It’s clear we managed to move the Emmy judges and viewers alike, evoking both laughter and tears. We are immensely proud of everyone, both in front of and behind the scenes, who poured their passion and love into this project.”

The International Emmy Awards are regarded as the most important global television awards. This year, The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes was the only Belgian program nominated. In 2017, the Eén program Sorry voor alles won the award in the Non-Scripted Entertainment category. In 2020, the Ketnet program Nachtraven won in the Kids: Non-Scripted Entertainment category, and in 2021, Ketnet received another award for Tekens van leven in the Factual & Entertainment category.