On 27 December 2009, hospitality alumni from “César Ritz” Colleges in Switzerland gathered for a reunion in Beirut in the Republic Restaurant, today’s place to be seen in Lebanon! The President of the Lebanon chapter, Philippe Abou Jaoude, gave us this report.

“We were warmly received by one of the owners of the Republic Restaurant, Ara Bardakjian, a former “César Ritz” Colleges’ student.  Ara was happy to present the concept of his business and took us around the property and explained the vision for further expansion.  Upon arrival in his office, we were impressed to see all the diplomas and certificates from “César Ritz” Colleges covering the wall behind his seat! Adding to the success of his restaurant, Ara and his partners have the rights to import and distribute Christian Audigier wines and champagne into Lebanon along with a tea brand called Ticolino.

And then it was on to the reunion. Dinner was both cozy and fun and, in addition to Philippe and Sabine Abou Jaoude, Bassem Bou Hadir attended the reunion along with Bachir Hoteit who, incidentially, has left the UAE and is about to open his new bakery/resto in Beirut. Also attending were Toni Aoun, who still works as a freelancer in investment banking and stocks; and Roland Al Wadi who was around on vacation from his job as a senior marketing agent for a company in Dubai.

It was great to meet up around the table with our old buddies and we wished Ara success with his future plans.”