HORECA Lebanon, the annual business meeting place for the hospitality and foodservice industries, launched its 27th edition on Tuesday 25 April, 2023, at Seaside Arena, Beirut, under the patronage of the Minister of Tourism, H.E. Walid Nassar.
During the opening, which took place in the presence of ministers,ambassadors, presidents of associations, key players in the industry and a large number of media representatives, H.E. Nassar and HORECA Lebanon awarded Lebanese chefs appreciation awardsfor their efforts in raising the Lebanese flag around the world.
This year’s exhibition is held under the theme ‘Connect. Be Inspired. Explore.’ For four days, until Friday 28 April, visitors will be able to discover 160 Lebanese and international brands andnetwork with thousands of professionals, as well as over 100 experts from the world of hospitality and foodservice, many of whom have come from overseas.
In addition, more than 30 international buyers have been invited toHORECA Lebanon to discover Lebanese products, establish business relations with Lebanese partners and promote Lebanese production across the world. As such, HORECA collaborated with the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) in order to enhanceLebanese exports and ensure their effective and widespreadpromotion abroad.
Moreover, the first day of the exhibition featured a series of exciting panel discussions, named HORECA Talks. The talks aim to tacklemany of the hottest topics related to the industry, such as tourism, sustainability and market challenges and opportunities. The Minister of Industry, H.E. George Boujikian, will be talking about National Food Safety Day, and both Minister of Tourism and Agriculture will also participate in others talks.
Elsewhere, HORECA Theatre will host culinary activities withrenowned chefs from Lebanon and abroad, while HORECA Innovations will showcase many new products and import substitutes created by local brands.
A number of famous chefs are present at HORECA, includingMichelin-star chef and restaurateur Alan Geaam from Paris. In addition, award-winning Lebanese chefs Antoine Bachour (US)and Philip Khoury (UK) will also be joining the event to judge competitions and participate in culinary masterclasses.
Visitors will be able to watch competitions held at the HORECA Stage, including the Lebanese Bartenders Competition, Coffee in Good Spirits, Latte Art and Junior Chef Competition. Culinary masterclasses and QandA sessions with celebrity chefs will also form part of the program.
Joumana Dammous-Salame, managing director of Hospitality Services, HORECA event organizer, expressed her enthusiasm and said: ‘We have worked hard to put this special edition together, to celebrate the essence of Lebanese hospitality built on our agility, creativity hard work and will to survive. We would like to honor the achievements of our peers and our determination to reimagine the industry of tomorrow. We can achieve great things when we move together.’
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon