Save & Follow
Lebanese food activist, entrepreneur and restaurateur Kamal Mouzawak has been picked as the winner of the first Foodics Icon Award ahead of the inaugural Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurant ceremony on 7 February.
Mouzawak has been a prominent player on the Lebanese food scene for over 18 years, promoting and preserving the diversity of Lebanese culinary heritage as well as uniting people through food.
Tawlet, Mar Mikhael
In 2004, he opened Beirut’s first farmers’ market, Souk El Tayeb, promoting small-scale farmers, producers, and sustainable agriculture which led to the first farmer's kitchen-style restaurant Tawlet Beirut in 2009. He has since opened a network of restaurants based on the model of social entrepreneurship, providing employment opportunities for women across the country, as well as guest houses, a farmer's shop and a community kitchen. This year also saw the opening of Tawlet Paris in France, his first overseas venture.
“At Souk El Tayeb, we have empowered the lives of many, and I am delighted that the hard work of the team has been recognised. We aim to use this opportunity as well to amplify our voice and the need for strong communities in elevating nations and therefore improving the food industry," said Mouzawak.
Kamal Mouzawak and Christine Codsi
He will receive the award at the inaugural Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, which will take place in the UAE capital on Monday 7 February 2022.
