Food & Beverage

TONY RAMY’S MISSION TO SAVE LEBANON’S RESTAURANT SECTOR

Tony Ramy, president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night-Clubs and Pastries in Lebanon, carries the weight of the restaurant industry on his shoulders as he tries to untangle the web of problems that it finds itself caught in. In this exclusive interview, Ramy discusses the unprecedented challenges the industry faces and the prospects for recovery.

What steps have been taken by the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-clubs & Pastries in Lebanon to help the hospitality sector? Lebanon’s hospitality sector was ailing long before October 17, 2019, mainly due to the devaluation of the Lebanese pound and the instability of foreign exchange rates in parallel markets. As a result, a lot of businesses had to close after incurring heavy losses.

The syndicate is working in collaboration with the Order of Lawyers (Beirut Bar Association) and filing a complaint against the Lebanese government to hold the parties or individuals involved accountable. Furthermore, the syndicate is liaising with international entities and communities to secure funds for the reconstruction of establishments that have been damaged or destroyed, as local donations are unable to cover the estimated costs.

The three regions most heavily affected by the port blast were: Greater Beirut, Metn and Baabda.

Tell us about the post-blast initiatives launched by the syndicate. We launched several initiatives with friends and partners to assist the institutions worst affected by the explosion. 1. The syndicate and its long-time partner Hospitality Services collaborated with Apave to collect data on losses incurred for auditing and assistance at a later stage.

2. Zomato and the Lebanese Food Bank collaborated with us to launch another humanitarian aid initiative to help employees of the institutions that are no longer operational due to the blast.

3. Kitopi also collaborated with us to help F&B brands grow globally.

We have many more initiatives underway. In fact, we are overwhelmed by the support we have received, proving that our efforts and hard work over the years are paying off. In your opinion, how can the Lebanese hospitality industry regain its strength?

All initiatives should aim to restore the trust of visitors and promote Lebanon as a touristic destination. Reviving the tourism sector is critical to economic recovery. Ensuring the return of tourism specific services will require a mix of public and private intervention, which can help the reconstruction of businesses affected by the blast and bridge the gap in earnings until the 2021 high season. syndicatercnp.com

Read the full article on hospitalitynewsmag.com

Lebanese entrepreneur Kamal Mouzawak is a man of many talents; he is a restaurateur, a hotelier and a humanitarian at heart. With his B&B, farmers’ market, community kitchen and numerous social initiatives, he showcases not only the richness of the Lebanese cuisine but also the strength of its community. After the Beirut port blast, Mouzawak was quick to spring into action.

You’ve just opened Souk El Tayeb in a new location. Can you tell us more about it? B018, the Beirut-born legacy, is set to open in Dubai in Q1 2021. Located on the outskirts of Dubai Marina, it will bring an abundance of music, art and culture to Dubai’s nightlife scene. Rabih Fakhreddine, CEO of Seven Management, said: “We are proud and excited to bring one of Lebanon’s legacies to Dubai, to showcase the brand on a Global scale and facilitate the natural evolution of BO18. The refined space will cater to music and art lovers across all nationalities, and

The new location of Souk El Tayeb is in the heart of Mar Mikhael, an area that was devastated by the Beirut port explosion on August 4. Our building was destroyed by the blast, but we have spent the past two months rebuilding it. This space is very special to us because it is a place we call home for our Souk El Tayeb weekly farmers’ market. In addition, this space will host our new Tawlet famers’ kitchen, as well as a Dekenet, and our newest addition, a community kitchen called Matbakh El Kell, which will serve meals daily to those in need. You once said that if the country is dead, it needs people to bring it back to life. How are you planning to do this? We never give up; we keep going with what strength we have left. It is by giving back and sharing food that we go on. celebrate Lebanon’s rich culture and history, which is more important to us now than ever before.” b018.com Tell us more about your plans to set up a permanent community kitchen to feed those in need. The emergency kitchen was created and began operations on August 5. We have cooked meals for first-aid dispatchers, hospital workers, neighbors, families in need and volunteers. We are still living in the aftermath of this catastrophe. The need isn’t going to disappear. We recognize the urgency of creating a community kitchen to continuously provide warm meals throughout the year, not just in moments of disaster. The community kitchen will begin operating on October 1 from Souk El Tayeb’s new location.

In your opinion, how can the hospitality sector survive these hard times? Everyone is doing his or her best to survive. You simply take care of your own, adapt, and do whatever you can to keep moving forward.

Read the full article on hospitalitynewsmag.com

IN BRIEF

Lebanese icon B018 set to launch Dubai in Q1 2021

soukeltayeb.com

Al Beiruti new restaurant opening Lebanese Al Beiruti, an all-day dining destination, has opened its doors in Dubai. It is located in Umm Al Sheif, Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, next- door to the Lamborghini showroom.

Its Show Kitchen – a main feature never before seen in the vast realm of Lebanese cuisine – offers guests an immersive and visually-satisfying experience. From mezzes being whipped up to perfection, blazing flames on the charcoal grill, freshly carved Shawarma made the old-fashioned and other signature items being prepared in an open environment enticing both foodies and design enthusiasts alike. albeiruti.com