What can you tell us about Mayrig in Kfardebian, Lebanon?
Back in 2020, we had a branch of Mayrig in Faqra club, which is also in Kfardebian. However, we decided to move to a bigger and more open location, where you can sit in the forest and enjoy a quality homemade Armenian meal. The location is family oriented, with a vast open space and a closed area featuring a chimney. We are very fond of the village of Kfardebian, so much so that we opened a sunset location for our other concept, Batchig, at the Ahlam club, with international tapas and drinks.
With many Lebanese brands expanding into Egypt, are you considering opening a branch there?
Definitely! We have been negotiating a Mayrig outlet in Cairo, so you’ll be hearing good news soon.
With your online cooking channel booming, are you planning to launch your own cookbook or TV show?
“Cook with Aline” is a show that was filmed and produced by myself and Triarc. It aired first in the GCC and is being uploaded bit by bit on my YouTube channel. Also, throughout the lockdown, with virtually nothing to do, I took over Instagram to showcase daily cooking from my fridge, and it has been doing well. People are lovely over there, and I am very glad to have such a lovely audience to interact with.
What are your upcoming projects?
Of course our Mayrig, Batchig and Lahmajun concepts in Lebanon (Beirut, Kfardebian, Broumana and Dbayeh) take most of our time. We are expanding abroad as well, in KSA, the UAE and in Egypt. I am also working on my own product line that will see the light in the very near future.
alinekamakian.com
figholding.com
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
