Ramzi Choueiri, a leading figure in the realm of Lebanese gastronomy, passed away on the evening of Sunday, June 18, from a heart attack at the age of 52.
Renowned as Chef Ramzi, he was a trailblazer in Lebanese and Arab cuisine. He was the first to launch a live cooking show that aired in Arabic on the local broadcaster Future TV from 1993 until 2010. His culinary skills captivated an audience of 10 million, long before the era of streaming. His segment on the morning program Alam al-Sabah earned him the Gourmand-Cointreau award for the world’s best live cooking show.
His cooking book The Culinary Heritage of Lebanon enjoyed record sales in the Arab world in 1997. In 2002, it earned him the “World’s Best Cookbook” award from the Gourmand association.
Chef Ramzi has had an extraordinary career in the Lebanese and Arab culinary world. Born in Lebanon in 1971, he went to Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour, graduated in 1992 with a degree in business management from Université Lumière Lyon 2, before furthering his education in the field at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom.
From 2008 to 2010, while producing and presenting his TV show, he was hired by Jordan’s King Abdullah II and his wife, Queen Rania, as a consultant to develop ready-to-eat meals for the Jordanian army.
Chef Ramzi also assumed the role of ambassador for Lebanese cuisine with Qatar Airways, for whom he developed Lebanese dishes for the first and business class international flights between 2012 and 2015. He extended his ambassadorship to the American television channel CNN through a program under his direction.
In addition, the talented chef held Guinness World Records for the largest tabbouleh dish (2009) and the largest falafel dish (10.452 kg) in 2010.
Holder of the Lebanese Order of Merit and an honorary member of the French bakers’ union, Chef Ramzi joined the Al-Kafaat family in 1992, as treasurer and director of their hotel management school. In 2015, he ascended to the position of CEO and, in 2021, he was elected Chairman of the Board.
Founded by his parents, Nadim and Lily Choueiri, in 1957, Al-Kafaat is dedicated to the rehabilitation, education and social integration of people with special needs and social difficulties. In 1999, Al-Kafaat established a university offering affordable education and practical training to Lebanese youth.
Chief Ramzi is survived by his wife, Tania Jamous, and his three children, Nadim, Yasmina and Maria.