YOUSSEF AKIKI
Founder & owner of Brut by Youssef Akiki
& Kitchen Backstage
& Board member Syndicate RCNP owners of restaurants Lebanon.
Legends never die. We will never forget
what you did for this industry, for
hospitality and the way you made each
and every one of us feel.
JOE BARZA
Celebrity chef | consultant
Head Judge and co-host of Top Chef 2011– 2012
Chopped Judge
Nothing can fill the void left by the loss of
my dear friend and mentor. Your memory
will forever live on in the journeys we
shared together.
MAROUN CHEDID
Celebrity chef and founder of the Maroun
Chedid Cooking Academy
We have lost a leader, a role model and a
father. Your achievements in the hospitality
industry are countless. You motivated us
with a steady hand and a loving heart.
Your skills, humor and personal strength
inspired us.
A man may die, but his legacy will continue
through his deeds and followers. Thus,
we would like to assure you that we will
continue, hand in hand, to uphold the
standards you have created in the industry.
WORLDCHEFS – WORLD
ASSOCIATION OF CHEFS
SOCIETIES
Nouhad Dammous leaves behind a
beautiful legacy of hospitality excellence
through his lifelong projects, namely
Hospitality Services. He will forever be
known for his dedication, perseverance
and wisdom.
MARK DICKINSON
Founder of Hospitality Training Solutions
DONE!
An incredible journey by an incredible
man. Nouhad Dammous, you invited me
to stay in Lebanon, to believe in Lebanon
and to contribute to your dream of a
vibrant and prosperous hospitality industry.
There is a part of you in me, and I promise
to carry the flag of excellence onward and
upward.
ANNIE DILSIZIAN
Former editor of Hospitality News ME and
Taste & Flavors
Our dear Nouhad is gone; our treasure
and our map. It was the honor of my life to
have worked under your wing.
SAID ABOU EZZEDDINE
Operations manager of Societe Des
Grands Hotels du Liban
Today, we bid farewell to one of the
first generation of hoteliers in Lebanon.
Nouhad Dammous was a pillar of the
hospitality industry, a visionary and the best
example of a family man. He will always be
remembered by the hospitality community
in Lebanon and the Middle East for years
to come.
PHILIPPE FRANCOIS
President of Amforht
Today is a sad day, but my sorrow is
mitigated by the happiness of having
known Nouhad, of having listened to him
and having learned from him.
GUILLAUME GOMEZ
President’s personal representative for
French food and gastronomy
A great friend of France, you, Nouhad,
worked for this Franco-Lebanese
friendship to exist and blossom. You were
a pioneer who founded the first hotel
school and created so many beautiful
events, bringing together hundreds of
hoteliers, bartenders, chefs and bakers.
Your name, your work and your story will
live on.
THOMAS A. GUGLER
President, TAG Global and Worldchefs
A great father, great culinarian, great leader
and a great friend.
GÉRARD GUIBILATO
Intermittent of Vauquelin Conseil
It is a loss for the hotel industry, as well
as for Lebanese and international hotel
training, because Nouhad was a pioneer.
He has undoubtedly left a mark on the
memory of so many students whom he
helped train and develop.
RICHARD HADDAD
Cost controller of The Peninsula Co. S.A.L
A true legend in our industry is gone and
will be dearly missed.
DR. AMINE E. MOUKARZEL
President of Golden Tulip – MENA Region,
Louvre Hotels Group – MENA Region
Nouhad was the father of the hospitality
industry and a mentor. Many people were
inspired by Nouhad. He was a very kind,
loving person who shared his knowledge
with so many, changing lives for the better.
NADIM MOUJAES
A visionary man has left us. His vision,
sense of innovation, professionalism and
loyalty were remarkable. A Lebanese
man who did everything to elevate the
hospitality and tourism sector to an
international level. With his late wife,
Claude, he planted in his three daughters
the seeds of love of this country, of family,
of the profession and principles, and the
best out of life.
FRANCOIS POZZOLI
Founder of the World Bread contest and
master baker chef
We have lost a man of conviction. Rare are
those with your kindness, Nouhad, which
showed on your face and in your eyes.
Congratulations for everything you have
done to support the industry. You instilled
passion in the young generation.
TONY RAMY
President of the Syndicate of Owners of
Restaurants, Cafes, Night-Clubs & Pastries in Lebanon
A visionary, a teacher to generations
and a pillar of Lebanon’s tourism glory,
Nouhad will be greatly missed. He loved
Lebanon until his last breath; it was in his
conscience, in his thoughts and his heart.
RAMI SAYESS
Regional VP and GM of Four Seasons
Hotels and Resorts
Our industry lost a true legend who will
be remembered for decades to come by
generations of hoteliers. He continues to
light the path.
YENDI SAFAR
I lost my mentor and advisor. I will miss our
laughs, chats and your advice, Nouhad.
Every time I think of you, I have a smile on
my face. I will always remember you, your
colorful socks and your signature bow ties.
KHALED SAAB
For the first time in years, you weren’t here
to greet us. However, your spirit is present,
your achievements are visible and life
continues with your daughters. Your loving
friends remember you with fondness.
GEORGES OJEIL
General Manager of Four Seasons Beirut
Rest in peace Nouhad Dammous, our
mentor and the inspiration of many
generations of Lebanese hoteliers.
DR. TANIOS KASSIS
Dean hotel management of Sagesse
University
Nouhad Dammous, you’ll never be
forgotten. People may leave the world but
never truly leave; they will always be alive
in our hearts and our memories.
ANTHONY KHOURY
General restaurant manager | F&B
operations | Hospitality Consultant
It is usual for ordinary people to celebrate
your successes, but only a handful of
people celebrate both your successes and
your struggles. Nouhad, you were a true
legend.
BASSAM N KAWASH
Nouhad Dammous meant a lot to me, and
I learned a great deal from him.
