Now on Facebook!

You can now follow this blog "My Beloved Lebanon" on facebook by liking our facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Beloved-Lebanon/141045125970679

Do not forget to suggest the page to your friends! :)
Best,
J.

THINK PINK proudly presents CAFE DEL MAR

THINK PINK proudly presents CAFE DEL MAR... July 4, 8pm @ SKYBAR, Beirut...

Join the fight against Breast Cancer and be with us when we reach $500 000 total proceeds generated for awareness, prevention and treatment!

Lots of giveaways + raffle prizes collectively worth over $75 000...

Tables sold out but $100 Open Bar Tickets available at all Virgin branches!

EARLY DETECTION CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!

www.thinkpinkcharity.com

Please email karim@jabadogroup.com if you're interested in making donations. Money this year is going to: 70% May Jallad Foundation (treatment), 15% Faireface Foundation (awareness), 10% Bras for a Cause (awareness), 10% Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation (awareness), 2.5% Marsa Health Clinic (awareness)....

THANK YOU!

World Kitchen Goes to Beirut, Part 1

World Kitchen
Patrick Drake
World Kitchen Goes to Beirut, Part 1

Published: Tue May 24, 2011

It's always slightly disconcerting when you get off a plane and find airport security waiting and asking your name. I was briefly concerned that my first trip to Beirut was going to be spent in a jail cell, but I soon realised that my hotel had arranged for a personal escort to arrivals.

Wondering which Hollywood celebrity I'd been mistaken for, I decided to enjoy the moment as the immigration queue parted like the Red Sea and an incredible trip began ...

To the uninitiated (or those initiated by CNN), you'd be forgiven for thinking that Beirut was a rather troubled city, though anyone who reads the likes of Tatler and GQ know it as an emerging force in the world of all things epicurean. Inspired by a love for Lebanese food, I decided a four-day trip was in order, a gustatory reconnaissance mission with its beginning in traditional cuisine.

For authentic insight into a country's cuisine, a great place to start is the local farmer's market. In Beirut, Souk el Tayeb doesn't disappoint. I was fortunate enough to meet the organiser of the market, Kamal Mouzawak, and quickly realised that this market goes way beyond a simple amalgam of local produce. For Kamal, the market is practically a socio-political statement that people from myriad backgrounds—religious, political, and idealistic—can be united through a common love of all things edible. Each week all sorts of lively characters travel from the four small corners of Lebanon to sell their wares, and the sense of community was almost tangible. But let's talk food.

Lebanon has been a cultural melting pot for a long time, owing in no small part to occupation by the Ottoman Turks and later the French. Enlisting the help of Chef Malek from the prestigious Phoenicia Hotel (it's amazing the doors ASW can open), my Lebanese food vocabulary grew quickly as we ploughed our way through the incredible mezze in the market. Battata Harra, Fatayer, Saj ... you name it I ate it. When the time came to cook lunch, I wasn't sure I could take much more (but, of course, I did).

The thing I love about Lebanese people is the matter-of-fact way they describe their cuisine as the best in the Middle East, like a fact not up for discussion. Chef Malek is more accustomed to catering to the hundreds of guests from various backgrounds that walk through the doors of his restaurant, Mosaic, but he took time out to show me some of the basics.

This week we'll cover a couple of simple, familiar dishes that you might not know how to create yourself: Kibbeh and Fattoush. In my next installment of World Kitchen, we'll check out one of Beirut's top chefs and take an entirely modern look at local cusine. Yalla!




For Patrick's other entries, go to his blog homepage.
Photo by Emma Smart

Chocol'art for Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL)

At the intersection of the sweet addiction inspired by cocoa, the warm fulfillment of charity work, and the radiant promise held in innocent children comes a new concept in a socially-responsible excuse to party, Chocol’art!

Chocol’art’s kick-off will take place in Beirut early summer 2011, where everyone will join forces with SPLONGE to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL).

Chocolate caterers, fashion designers, musicians and artists will be invited to create spontaneous and unique works during the event, all inspired by and related to the theme of chocolate. In addition, all guests attending will be encouraged to contribute funds or art related supplies that can then be re-distributed to the children at CCCL.

Event Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011
Event time: Starting 7:00 pm
Venue: Mouawad Palace Gardens (Downtown Beirut)
Ticket Price: $75 (Drinks, bites, lots of chocolate & art!)
Ticket Info: +961 70 850500

CATERING

Crepaway
Lindt
Le Talleyrand
The Cupcakery
Cocoa & Co.
Vermicelle
C Black Chocolate
Sugarush
Metis
Club Grappe

PERFORMANCE

Bands: PLUGGED (Soft rock) & FAREEQ EL ATRASH (Hip Hop)
DJs: GUNTHER & STAMINA , PHIL and MASS

Hosted by the voice of Chocol'art maDJam

Live Graffiti show by ASHEKMAN

Live Painting by DIANE AYOUB

Visuals by KAA

ART

Anthony Rahayel (b-lebanon.com)
Roula Ayoub
Adriana El Hajj
Ceramics 'N' More
Wissam Koleilat
Blessing
Dimpill
Christian Ghammachi
Lush
Al-Khayyat Al-Saghir

FASHION

Walk in Closet
Nadine Zeni
Moe K
Poupee Couture
Carla Line
Purrl
Zeta
Mojo

MEDIA

BeirutNightLife.com
TimeOut Beirut
Beirut.com
PingDubai.com
Sayidaty Magazine
Elegante Magazine
DoubleU
achtART.com
ScoopCity.com
VTR Beirut

PARTNERS

Aerial7
BankMed
Integrity Media & Film
SPLONGE
Karaky Printing Press
Good Karma
Effects
CKA