When you mix skills, creativity, and a love for hospitality, something special happens—and that unfolded at this year’s HORECA Lebanon, the country’s biggest stage for culinary and hospitality professionals. 

Representing the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) at LAU’s Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB), sophomore students Ali Khalife, Sarah Bizri, and alumna Malake Safsouf (BS ’23) stepped into the heat of competition and emerged as winners.

Over three exciting days, April 9 to 11, Khalife, Bizri, and Safsouf competed in five events at the HORECA Junior Chef and EMF-Callebaut Rising Chef competitions. They showed up with confidence in their expertise as they went head-to-head with some of the most promising talents in Lebanon and walked away with top honors. 

Khalife impressed the judges with a gold-winning chocolate fondant, earned silver for his macarons, and won a $250 prize in celebration of his precision and passion. Reflecting on his experience, Khalife said, “The HTM program equips us with more than just knowledge—it instills confidence, creativity, and real-world skills. My success in prestigious competitions like HORECA is a testament to my readiness to lead, innovate, and shine in the hospitality industry.”

Bizri made the day with her gold-winning cold sandwich, impressing everyone with her thoughtful flavor balance and presentation, and received a gourmet box of culinary gifts. “With Chef Ibrahim Haddad’s dedicated mentorship and hands-on training, I stepped into the HORECA competition prepared and empowered,” shared Bizri. “His guidance transformed my passion for hospitality into tangible achievements.”

Returning to the spotlight with grace and flair, Safsouf secured second place in every dessert challenge at EMF-Callebaut over three days, earning $500 and well-deserved admiration. Safsouf highlighted the program’s impact. “Innovation is at the heart of the HTM program at LAU’s AKSOB. From cutting-edge coursework to immersive student life experiences, they prepare us to think boldly, lead confidently, and thrive in the ever-evolving world of hospitality and tourism,” she said.

In a space filled with over 19,000 industry visitors, international chefs, hospitality experts, and industry professionals, LAU’s rising stars stood tall as competitors and proud ambassadors of what dedication and outstanding mentorship can achieve.

In 2021, the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management became the first in Lebanon and the region to earn the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).

“The department is deeply committed to shaping future leaders who are innovative, adaptable, and globally minded,” noted associate professor and chairperson Rania El Haddad. “Through experiential learning, industry partnerships, and a strong academic foundation, we continue to elevate our program to meet the evolving demands of the hospitality world. Our goal is to educate and inspire excellence in every student who walks through our doors.”

The ACPHA-accredited HTM program at LAU continues to be a launch pad for first-class future culinary leaders thanks to its hands-on training, real-world experiences, and supportive faculty members. This combination shone at HORECA 2025.