As part of the ongoing partnership between Anera and the Faculty of Tourism at City University, an advanced chef training program was successfully delivered under UNICEF’s Learning to Earn initiative, implemented by Anera. The program was designed to enhance students’ culinary expertise and strengthen their professional competencies in the fields of culinary arts and hospitality.

The program combined both theoretical instruction and hands-on practical training, conducted on the University campus and at the Bouche Sucrée kitchen. This provided students with the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional environment that closely reflects the realities of the hospitality industry. A total of 25 students participated in the program, completing 60 hours of intensive training.

Throughout the course, participants received practical and professional training in the following areas:

Hospitality operations management and professional event organization.

Excellence in customer service and hospitality management.

Modern culinary techniques and innovative food preparation and presentation.

The program also included a series of field visits designed to bridge academic learning with real-world industry experience.

Training was supervised by a distinguished team of instructors, including Dr. Iman Al Baba, Chef George Debs, and Ms. Manal Suleiman, who mentored the participants throughout the program, providing continuous guidance and practical expertise.

The program concluded with a “Best Team” competition held at the Bouche Sucrée kitchen, where students showcased the skills they had developed by competing to prepare five dessert creations in a highly professional and enthusiastic atmosphere.

A judging panel evaluated the teams based on carefully defined criteria, including execution, taste, presentation, and teamwork, before selecting the winning team.

The closing ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to all participants in a celebratory atmosphere attended by Mr. Ziad Mekdadi, Anera’s North Area Manager, along with Anera representatives Mr. Wissam Shaaban and Mr. Moamen Lababidi. The event reflected the participants’ remarkable achievements and the high quality of training they received, equipping them with valuable skills and opening promising career opportunities in the hospitality industry.