In the heart of Lebanon’s Chouf mountains, where Ottoman grandeur meets Levantine elegance, a culinary celebration unfolded on Sunday, September 24th, 2023. Set against the backdrop of the historic Mir Amin Palace Hotel, Le Passeport Culinaire hosted an enchanting fig tart competition during the hotel’s signature Sunday Buffet Lunch. This unique event honored Lebanon’s fig season, offering a gastronomic tribute to the land’s rich produce and artisanal tradition.
An Ode to the Fig: Craft, Culture, and Community
The event brought together six talented bakers, each presenting their own interpretation of a fig tart. The contestants – amateurs and professionals alike – competed not just for taste, but for storytelling, aesthetic finesse, and their ability to pay homage to the Lebanese terroir. Guests, gathered in the palace’s breathtaking courtyard, were invited to observe, taste, and participate in a shared celebration of heritage and harvest.
Judging the Artistry
The judging was entrusted to the very guests who attended the Sunday Buffet Lunch. Each attendee had the opportunity to taste the competing tarts and cast their vote for their favorite creation. This democratic approach not only added a festive and engaging atmosphere but also underscored the event’s communal spirit—where every guest became a critic, a connoisseur, and a celebrant.
Celebrating Lebanese Seasonality
This fig tart contest was more than a culinary showcase—it was a cultural statement. Organized by Le Passeport Culinaire, a platform known for curating immersive gastronomic experiences across Lebanon, the event spotlighted the fig as a symbol of abundance, memory, and Mediterranean identity. It also echoed the principles of sustainable gastronomy, promoting local ingredients, seasonal awareness, and the revival of artisanal baking practices.
In every bite, one could taste not just the fig, but the spirit of Lebanon—a country where hospitality, history, and culinary heritage are inseparable. As the sun set over the palace’s terracotta rooftops, it was clear: this wasn’t just a competition, it was a love letter to the land.
