IGE hosted Ambassador of France to Lebanon, H.E. Hervé Magro, and Consul Julien Bouchard at a memorable event with USJ vice-rectors on January 18, 2024, at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ).
The event marked a fruitful collaboration formalization between the Institute of Business Administration (IGE) and Mon Liban d’Azur (MLA), strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two institutions.
Established as a non-profit association in Nice in 2019, Mon Liban d’Azur has a presence in Beirut. It seeks to build bridges between the South of France and Lebanon in gastronomy, culture and tourism.
The culinary chef of the French embassy in Lebanon, Olivier Perigault, attended the event, where the renowned pastry chef Charles Azar delighted guests with a galette des rois and a brioche des rois, a specialty of Provence.
“The hotel management education at IGE holds a unique place in the culinary education landscape. Moreover, our mission extends beyond the transmission of professional skills. It also encompasses the preservation and promotion of French gastronomic heritage. We firmly believe that cooking is an art form. Furthermore, our school strives to instill this passion in our students,” said Prof. Celine Saab, director of IGE.
She added: “Our seasoned instructor chefs share their expertise, transmitting not only culinary techniques but also respect for quality ingredients. Moreover, by collaborating with MLA, we aspire to expand our influence and promote French gastronomy beyond borders. Consequently, we aim to create opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual understanding through cuisine, thus strengthening the bonds between our communities.”
Furthermore, Geraldine Ghostine, founder and president of Mon Liban d’Azur, said: “This new agreement that binds us is particularly focused on the transmission, know-how, exchange and training. This is important in a field that brings people together and ignites passions, that of culinary art. Chef Davy Tissot, MOF and Bocuse d’Or 2021, initially opened the IGE restaurant last September. Moreover, we will carry out an exciting project next October, marking the 150th anniversary of USJ and the five years of MLA.”
usj.edu.lb/ige
