Update on Horeca - 1st Day

Lots of energy yesterday at Horeca. I was delighted to meet Miles Irving, English forager who sells edible plants and herbs to restaurants in England. He came to discover the rich forage we have in Lebanon. According to a source, university professor at USEK Marc Berouth, there are over 400 edible plants and herbs in Lebanon and only about 40 species are being used. I think that is amazing! I think a book on the subject is so important. Miles himself has written a book on foraging, based on English plants. The book also depicts interesting recipes from famous chefs in his country. Why can't we do the same? I am going to try to find a way of getting this done, somehow! I will need the help of specialists, it will happen... A special thanks to Souk el Tayeb producers Rima Massoud and Georgina Bayeh, they made us dishes using wild Lebanese edible plants. Their presence made it all the more special.

The second part of the event yesterday was with special guest, owner of Sultan Brahim Tony Rami and his team. It was amazing, hummus and chickpeas in all forms. I will write a post about this subject later when I have the video to show how each one is made. I was very impressed with his hummus made with filet of fish conserved in fat like awarma. Very innovative. Also, as you know, I am a huge fan of red pepper paste! Another variety I tasted was with a sauce poured on the hummus made with red pepper paste. A chef from Akkar invented the hummus "Akkarieh" with chopped pickled turnips, tomatoes, and parsley. Extraordinary! There is a lot to do with this team, I will do it! I'm very grateful for their enthusiasm and generosity. Good things ahead.

During the fair I got two marriage proposals too and one of my books was stolen, sad and disgusting! An old man screamed at me to give him hummus with a spoon.... I'm learning a lot about people every day. Mostly I am grateful to all my fans who came up to me, took photographs, and asked about my TV segment and my future shows. Don't worry I won't let you down. There are so many adventures ahead. I'm really excited!

Fraud on Amazon

I am being misrepresented on AMAZON. Please don't buy my books on AMAZON. Mouneh is listed at 270 USD. Someone wants to harm me!

1st Day Horeca 2012

Today the start of HORECA, come join us. I visited the Atelier Gourmand stand yesterday - very inviting! 1st part: Special guest today author / forager Miles Irving from England with producers cooking from Souk el Tayeb. 2nd part: How many faces of hummus do you know with Al Sultan Brahim group and the Al Rami brothers. Can't wait! I will post what happened tomorrow morning.

Read this article concerning foraging in the Shouf with Miles.

Cute Invite

Atelier Gourmand at Horeca 2012

Click on the image to read more details

Click on the image to read more details

Come join me with all these special guests this year for a special event at Horeca. I will be hosting for the 3rd consecutive year the Atelier Gourmand. Lots of surprises await with very interesting subjects. Take the time to read the details and follow the events day by day.

Forum on Social Entrepreneurship

I am going to attend this forum because I am very interested in the subject. I always tell my children that the job they should undertake when choosing their careers in life should matter to their community. I hope they will listen. One should work on making money, building a career, etc... but social responsibility is vital. I hope to get a clearer idea on how to build a business based on these principles. It's been on my mind for a while now...

“The Forum on Social Entrepreneurship …

Supporting and Promoting Social Entrepreneurship in Lebanon”

  The Forum uses practical cases from Lebanon to enable participants and experts to

define the concept and the criteria for social enterprises in Lebanon,

as well as proposing solutions to possible challenges.

On March 15^th, 2012 from 3:00 to 7:30pm, 

At the Medical Sciences Campus, Auditorium C,

Saint Joseph University, Damascus Road.

Join us and share your experiences and ideas.

Register before March 14th, 2012 on:

www.forummicrofinancerhonealpes. org

This one-day Forum will address the concept and application of social entrepreneurship within the Lebanese context. It is intended as a first nation-wide attempt to define the criteria and
requirements for initiating and sustaining social businesses in Lebanon.
Social entrepreneurship: A new business model for social change.

What is social entrepreneurship?

Who are social entrepreneurs?

Why do we need social enterprises?

How can Social Entrepreneurship support social and economic development?

How can we promote social entrepreneurship?

Panelists: Gilbert Doumit - BRD, Georges Khalaf - Synergos, Pierre Issa - arcenciel, Dr. Khater Abi Habib - Kafalat
Moderator: Rania Baroud

Defining the criteria of a social enterprise
Speakers: 2b design, Souk el Tayeb, Responsible Mobilities, USJ

Financing a social business
Speakers: Kafalat, ADR

Enhancing the legal and tax environment
Speakers: IRAP, Municipality of Ghbaleh, USJ, Institute of Finances - Basil Fuleihan

Fostering innovation in social entrepreneurship
Speakers: Little Engineer, Berytech, LEAD, Sahbeh

Forum on social entrepreneurship in Beirut
Organized by arcenciel in collaboration with Beyond Reform & Development and Saint Joseph University.

Forum Language: Arabic.

Barbara With Pierre Bared "Helwe Beirut"

Ladies and gentlemen, it is very sad to say but this is my last report with Helwe Beirut. Why? I have no idea. The show shut down a few days ago. What you are seeing these days are reruns. According to rumors, it's because of in-house politics bla bla bla.... The producer called me the night before I was to head down to Tyre to do a report on lost forgotten recipes of the South and BOUM she hit me with this news! I was overwhelmed because these weekly segments have become part of my life and sharing all my adventures with the audience was really special to me. I am what you call a believer in a philosophy that states: "If it's meant to be, than it's probably better for me", so I say as long as I have good health, I will keep walking— doing what I always do (with or without a camera to record my trips).

This report above was shot just a week before this harsh ruling. It's very symbolic! I shot the segment with one of my very good friends (Pierrot) and captured life of a shepherd (Nizar) with goats (baby goats included) and the making of traditional bread in the tannur. All these elements are so special to me. The simple life, nature, friendship, family, good wholesome food—This was my message to the Lebanese people and to the people in Arab countries who also viewed Helwe Beirut.

I would like to thank all those who worked with me especially Randa Abyad, the producer of Helwe Beirut. She was the one who pushed me to become a TV host. I will always be grateful to her for believing in me and never questioning my "trips". Roula Sidnawi is the segment director who worked on all my reports with unconditional love. She is amazing and I really would not have succeeded if I did not have her by my side. To Roula Saad and all the LBC crew with whom I worked: cameramen, sound engineers, light ... Thank you!

I asked my husband when I heard the news, "Do you think my fans are going to accept not seeing me every week in a different location in Lebanon cooking with food producers?" He answered, "Of course not, they will go down to Martyr's Square and shout... We want Barbara back!" He is silly, but it's a thought! Just kidding.

To all my dear fans, I will be back soon—I promise!