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"This was a great unique special edition of Horeca, the objectives of this event have been achieved as bringing the hospitality people together in a convivial atmosphere, delivering valuable business contacts and supporting the development of the industry,"
said Mrs. Joumana Dammous Salamé, Managing Director of the organizing company Hospitality Services.
After a four-days show, Horeca resulted in an outstanding number of business transactions and entailed a series of activities:
The Salon Culinaire where more than 100 chefs from local hotels, restaurants and patisseries competed in 10 categories, in the presence of prominent international chefs, which qualified winners to participate in 2009 in the Bocus d'Or of Asia, World Pastry Cup or World Bread Cup.
• "Hospitality Services competitions give young participants the opportunity to prove their skills and be creative. With the help and advices of professional and experts of the culinary sector, they can go forward and improve themselves much faster", said the Dutch expert in bread Johannes Wilhelmusson.
• "Chefs were judged by a panel of local and international experts, who rated them according to specific criteria such as presentation, hygiene, creativity, techniques" said the Lebanese chef Joe Barza.
• "With proper education, information and training, Lebanese chefs are on the road to becoming pros at an international level while offered a valuable chance to compete and improve,' said Didier Chantefort, French chef, teacher and member of the "Académie Culinaire de France"
Other Competitions & Seminars
The table setting competition allowed for professionals to expose incredible settings and table decoration. Among participants, professionals from renowned restaurants, hotels, catering companies, events organizers and table top suppliers presented their own professionally and amazing set and decorated flowery spring tables; while Lebanese Bartenders' Competition showed lots of talents who competed daily, revealing new twists and turns as well as innovative ideas in bartending art. The winners were delivered valuable prices.
Another highlight of HORECA's closing was the 3rd edition of the Natural Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contest, financed this year by ELCIM, MACLE and the Ross program. Two categories competed: best small producer of olive oil with 23 participants and best label and bottle with 17 participants all judged by tasting experts who announced winners based on the taste of their oil or packaging. "The most amazing this year is that oil tasting members of the jury and visitors (having the chance to taste and give their opinion) came up with the same results! Adding to that the same person, Mr. Joseph Khoury was the 1st winner of best small producer and 3rd winner of best label and bottle", said Nell Abu Ghazaleh, CEO of Architree; "Horeca is a link between the producers and stakeholders and a cooling of information for the producers; this year we had the pleasure to meet Chinese businessmen and several personalities from embassies", she added.
Adding to that, daily workshops covered interesting topics especially emphasizing on the importance of health food, with "the Atlas of Lebanese traditional products" a new path towards valorization of our tradition.
Finally, Horeca attracted many students and other job seekers. Local companies promoted their unique concept and franchise opportunities in the newly created "franchise pavilion" to potential employees and interested candidates.
Exhibitors' opinion
The exhibitors in the Forum were asked about the motives behind their participation and their opinion concerning Horeca this year. They said that the event contributed to the creation of many networks with local and international businessmen in hospitality and food sector and strengthened the role of Lebanon as an important destination for trade exhibitions:
• Mr. Imad Sadaka, General Manager of Vary Food, said : "I'm happy to be present in this forum, for Horeca is less cost than a TV ad with more efficiency giving me the chance to have vital business contacts in a convivial atmosphere".
• According to Mr. Nazih Zouhairy, Sales & Technical support engineer of Walid's Trading: due to the political uncertainty, it is true that there were a less number of exhibitors than past years but I have witnessed the quality of exhibitors and visitors who are showing so much professionalism. As we say quality is much better than quantity!"
• "I can only say one simple word describing Horeca: faith. It's been years that I participate in this event and not once have I been disappointed. So, I would like to thank the organizers for keeping faith in the importance of this forum despite political uncertainty. They are the ones taking risks, not us as exhibitors. Maybe I am not getting lots of new opportunities this year in particular compared to others, but I'm glad to be participating in an event organized with such professionalism", stated Mr. Michel Bayoud, CEO of Boecker Public Health.
• Mr. Samer El Hachem, CEO of Hintrag (producer of Aruba products) said: "we were excited to be joining Horeca, this professional annual event since it is our first exposure. We felt it essential to have a presence at Horeca to promote our new born company and meet directly with retailers. This forum is indeed giving us the opportunity to have an exposure on the Lebanese market and be noticed by potential local and International clients."
• "This is the 1st but surely not the last time we participate in Horeca. This Forum offers exceptional business opportunities for our country; Horeca is a new step to go forward by meeting the right professionals at the right time. It is the place to sell the truth, where professionals do understand the importance of our product by trying it", said Mr. Kareem Saad, Sales & Marketing of Jura Coffee Machines, emphasizing on Horeca's importance.
This year, Horeca 2008 especially succeeded to promote new born companies and launch amazing products. Horeca has indeed become an annual meeting place for important Lebanese, Arab and foreigner businessmen.
Siba Sami Ammari
