Ramzi Choueiri Arab Food Celebrity Dies at 52
By: Adam Abdel-Qader / Arab America Contributing Writer
On June 18th, 2023, Ramzi Choueiri, known to many as Chef Ramzi, passed away in his home in Beirut, Lebanon, at just 52 years old. Medical reports of his passing named the cause of death a heart attack. His untimely departure has shocked the culinary community and especially the Arab culinary community, where he had earned a high status and repertoire amongst his fans.
Since his debut as chef and television host, Chef Ramzi’s impact has spanned internationally and has been instrumental in introducing Levantine flavors and cuisines to global audiences.
The Start of Chef Ramzi:
Chef Ramzi started his career humbly in Lebanon, but he soon displayed his exceptional ability to craft culturally significant and flavorful dishes. His talent catapulted him to success within Lebanon and across the Arab world. However, despite gaining fame abroad, Chef Ramzi remained devoted to promoting traditional Arab cuisine that honors centuries of passed-down techniques and traditions of cooking.
Ramzi was nothing short of a big personality with a crafty sense of humor. During his come-up in Lebanon, he gained his fan base and stardom in a show that began in 1994. This show occurred significantly before the current outburst of kitchen culture on TV shows and social media nowadays.
Career Timeline:
From 1994 to 2010, during his time on the morning show on Lebanese Future Television, Chef Ramzi was able to present educational and interactive displays on the art of cooking Levantine and Lebanese foods. His estimated number of viewers reached upwards of 10 million people daily, mainly a Pan-Arab audience across the Middle East. The interactive side of the show included viewers calling in and commenting or admiring the cuisine or sometimes even critiquing certain things.
Beyond the show being a cooking presentation, it also allowed for a display of the diversity and extravagance of Middle Eastern cuisine while giving insight into each dish’s cultural and historical significance. Not only that, but Chef Ramzi’s amiable demeanor endeared him even more to viewers who welcomed him as not only a remarkable Arab chef but also a friend or everyday person that they adored beyond measure.
In 1997, Ramzi published his first culinary encyclopedia. Unsurprisingly, this volume reeled in record-breaking sales in the Arab world, with 1 million books sold today. Later in 2002, Ramzi’s book “Lebanese Culinary Heritage” was published in Arabic and French and eventually translated into six other languages.
In 2003, the Lebanese President gave Chef Ramzi the Medal of Lebanese Merit. This medal was a significant honor for Ramzi and his family, although he jokingly mentioned how he still thought his cooking had room for improvement. Chef Ramzi set himself to exceptionally high standards; for that alone, he is a trailblazer regarding Arab food culture.
In 2004, CNN launched its “Rediscover Lebanon” food program, which involved Chef Ramzi’s contributions, who organized and planned culinary trips throughout Lebanon for CNN’s crew.
In 2009 and 2010, Chef Ramzi set three Guinness World Records by presenting the largest portions of Hummus, Tabbouleh, and Falafel ever created. Through this accomplishment, he highlighted that these dishes were exclusive to Lebanese cuisine. Moreover, Chef Ramzi became the first Arab to hold four invincible World Records. He secured his fourth by serving a massive plate of Fatteh while working with special needs kids at the Al-Kafaat Foundation.
From 2012 to 2015, Ramzi served as the Arabic Culinary Ambassador for Qatar Airways and represented Lebanese cuisine on all of their international flights. From 2016 to now, Chef Ramzi has served voluntarily for the Al-Kafa’at Foundation as the Chief Executive Officer until his passing.
Impact:
Chef Ramzi’s accomplishments extended beyond his culinary successes, as demonstrated by his publication of multiple cookbooks and contributions to foundations and news sources. His volumes and publishments blend personal anecdotes with detailed recipes, contributing significantly to his reputation as a worldwide Middle Eastern and Arab cuisine expert. His invaluable insights on unknown ingredients or cooking techniques in the Arab world provided readers with accessible information without sacrificing authenticity.
Chef Ramzi went beyond cooking exceptional meals, using his expertise to promote a better understanding and appreciation of Arab culture across the globe. His unique approach involved blending food with captivating stories about history and tradition, effectively turning a basic necessity into an avenue for cultural preservation and exchange. This distinctive strategy has appealed to audiences worldwide, even to this day.
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