HORECA Lebanon, the annual meeting place for the hospitality and foodservice industries, closed its doors on April 19 after an exhilarating four days at Beirut’s Seaside Arena. Showcasing cutting-edge innovations and trends, the event was hailed a remarkable success, attracting over 19,000 visitors and gathering together 350 exhibitors, from food and beverage producers to labeling and packaging, agri-food startups, heavy machinery manufacturers and more.
The opening ceremony of HORECA Lebanon, which took place on April 16, welcomed Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud, H.E. Walid Nassar, Lebanese Minister of Tourism, and H.E. George Boujikian, Lebanese Minster of Industry. Ambassadors, presidents of associations, industry leaders and a multitude of media representatives were also present.
“Embrace the Pace of Hospitality” was the guiding theme of this year’s HORECA Lebanon, symbolizing the event’s commitment to honoring the great strides that are being made in the region’s hospitality and foodservice sectors.
HORECA Lebanon boasted a vibrant program of demonstrations and competitions at the HORECA Theatre and HORECA Stage. These included the Hospitality Salon Culinaire, the Junior Chef Competition, the Lebanese Bartenders Competition, Mocktail Competition and Lebanese Barista Competition. Additionally, culinary enthusiasts enjoyed a variety of activities, namely masterclasses with renowned chefs from Lebanon and abroad.
Moreover, the event included an engaging series of panel discussions at HORECA Talks, which delved into the hottest industry topics. Meanwhile, at HORECA Innovations, 30 of the best Lebanese import substitutes and innovative products were showcased. Carefully chosen by an advisory board, the curated selection included items such as black garlic, pepper paste and vegan hummus.
Elsewhere, HORECA’s Hosted Buyers’ Program — organized in partnership with QOOT and the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) — brought together more than 450 Lebanese companies and 20 international buyers with an aim to boost Lebanese exports and ensure their successful promotion abroad.
In addition, HORECA Lebanon paid tribute to two remarkable individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the culinary and hospitality sectors. Hala Matar Choufany, president of HVS Middle East, was presented with the Industry Excellence Award, while chef Thomas A. Gugler, president of WORLDCHEFS/WACS, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Joumana Dammous-Salame, managing director of Hospitality Services, HORECA organizer, said: “As we mark the end of this special edition, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and innovation that has defined us. Together, we are not just reimagining the industry; we are shaping its future, setting new standards and inspiring generations to come. The best is yet to come, and we are ready for it.”
