The HORECA Lebanon 2025 gold medal winners were officially announced, celebrating the country’s most promising talents in food, pastry, and beverage service.
This year’s edition brought together chefs, mixologists, baristas and hospitality students, who showcased technical skill, creativity, and bold flavors across multiple live competitions.
Burger and sandwich competitions
The Aussie beef and lamb burger challenge saw three standout gold medal winners: Hadi Keima from Burger Lovers, Zakaria Mohamad Darwich from ANU Standalone Group, and Elie Ajoury from Cheese on Top. Each walked away with top prizes including kitchen aid mixers from Vresso, knives from Arla Pro, and gift vouchers from ISO Food, Shuman Farms and a gift from Prunelle.
In the cold sandwich challenge, Moustapha Fayad, head chef at Green Junkie, claimed gold and earned a trip to HORECA Jordan along with product gifts from Prunelle and ISO Food.
In the hot sandwich challenge, Hratch Baghdassarian, head chef at Casper and Gambini’s, claimed gold and earned a gift from Prunelle and a voucher from ISO Food.
Lebanese cuisine and mystery basket competitions
Among the HORECA Lebanon 2025 gold medal winners, Wassim Mourtada, head chef at Couqley, was celebrated for his creativity in the mystery basket competition. In the contemporary Lebanese dish challenge, gold was awarded to Anas Itani and Hamza Katerji from Kiss the Spoon, who impressed the judges with their modern interpretation of classic flavors.
Pastry winners impress judges at HORECA Lebanon
In the best macaron display competition, Hanan Hijazi, founder of Mon Macaron, received a gold medal for her elegant presentation. She also won a USD 250 gift voucher from Maison Khoury and a kitchen aid mixer from Vresso, confirming her position among the top HORECA Lebanon 2025 gold medal winners in pastry.
Student and junior competitors at HORECA Lebanon 2025
Several student participants were among the HORECA Lebanon 2025 gold medal winners. In the hot and cold appetizer category, Charbel Azar and Fares Sahiyoun from USEK stood out with strong teamwork and well-balanced execution. In the junior cold sandwich challenge, gold was awarded to Simon Habib Chalouhy from Institute Saint Antoine, Laura Maria Moufarrij from the University of Balamand, Samer Geagea from NDU, Dana Fayad from CIS College, Sara Bizri from LAU, and Antoinette Kfoury from USJ.
Gold medals in the junior chocolate fondant category went to Gaelle Mhanna from NDU, Ali Khalifeh from LAU, and Aya Salhab from USJ. In the junior best macaron display, Amar Masoud Al Khatib from Issam Hachwi bakery school and Jalal Audi from USJ were recognized for precision and presentation.
Beverage experts recognized among HORECA Lebanon
The HORECA Lebanon 2025 gold medal winners list also included two standout names from the beverage world. Hadi Hussein Moussa, bar supervisor, won the HORECA Barista Competition, taking home a trip to the World of Coffee Dubai, a USD 500 voucher from Sohat, a USD 250 rental equipment voucher from Maison Khoury, and additional prizes from Alpro, Monin, Victoria Arduino, and Tomado.
In the Mocktail and Lebanese Bartenders Competitions, Hussein Debes, bar manager at Seven Sisters, received gold. His prize package included a trip to the Athens Bar Show, bar tools, spirits from Giffard and Elmir Brewery, a USD 500 gift voucher from Perrier, and more.
The HORECA Lebanon 2025 gold medal winners represent the very best of Lebanon’s food and hospitality talent. This year’s competitions proved once again that the local industry continues to innovate, inspire, and lead across culinary, pastry, and beverage categories.