Hyde Park, NY – Christine Assouad Sfeir, CEO of two
major Middle East restaurant companies, spoke to graduates at the New York campus of
The Culinary Institute of America on October 16.
Ms. Sfeir heads Treats Holdings
SAL and Meeting Point, both based in Beirut, Lebanon. Treats Holdings includes
40 Semsom restaurants in the Middle East and New York
City and a new chain in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia called Green Falafel. Meeting
Point is the franchisee of 25 Dunkin’ Donuts outlets in Lebanon.
She was ranked 19th on the Forbes magazine list of the Most Powerful Arab Women last year, and
for the past three years, Ms. Sfeir has been named
one of Arabian Business magazine’s
100 Most Powerful Arab Women. She was honored as Businesswoman of the Year at
the 2011 Arabian Business Achievement Awards.
Ms. Sfeir spoke to 61 associate
degree graduates in culinary arts and baking
and pastry arts at the CIA. The entire graduation ceremony can be .
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Leading Arab businesswoman and restaurateur Christine Sfeir speaks to graduates of the New York campus of The
Culinary Institute of America on October 16, 2015. She is CEO of the popular
Middle East restaurant chain Semsom, which recently
opened its first U.S. location in New York City. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Manager
845-451-1372
j_levine@culinary.edu
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the
foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA
offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts;
bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food
studies; and executive education through its Food Business School. Its
conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food
industry in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, world cuisines
& cultures, and professional excellence & innovation. The college also
offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its
worldwide network of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every area of
foodservice and hospitality. The CIA has campuses in New York, California,
Texas, and Singapore.
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