Lebanon’s largest hospitality and food exhibition, HORECA 2010, closes its doors and confirms Beirut as Capital du Goût

Under the Patronage of his Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fadi Abboud, the eagerly anticipated hospitality and food services event, HORECA 2010, closed its doors April 30th under the esteemed title Beirut Rendez-vous du du goût.

The largest and most well-attended exhibition of its industry, HORECA 2010, a magnet for both Lebanon and the region’s hospitality industry, played an important role in boosting Lebanon’s economy. Participants extended from well beyond the region’s borders and included official pavilions from Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Argentina, Poland and India. Individual participants also came from countries such as Canada, France, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, creating 350 exhibitors in total.

April 27th saw the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fadi Abboud officially declare HORECA 2010 open with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The four-day event attracted a staggering 20,000 visitors from various industry fields across the region who visited an extensive variety of exhibitors, and enjoyed shows, competitions, workshops and activities.

For the 11th year in a row, more than 200 Lebanese and international chefs competed in the Salon Culinaire comprising a number of competitions including awards for the Best Mezzeh, the Best Young Chef, the Best Pastry, the Best Sandwich, the Best Sushi and the Female Chef of the Year. Attended by a crowd of supporters including hospitality students eager to learn the art of innovative cooking styles under tight deadlines, the competition was assessed by an international panel of judges and monitors. Gold Medals were awarded to Donaldo Sipat, for the Live Sushi Competition, Nathalie Doumit, for the Live Junior Chefs Competition, and Carmen Azar, for the Female Chef of the Year.