After working for 12 years in the family’s holding operating in the fashion industry, and while he has been traveling extensively in Italy and Europe experimenting at the same time different cuisines, blends and flavors, in 2001 Michel opened his first restaurant using exclusively unrivaled ingredients, handpicked and imported by himself primarily from Italy. Since then, he has become a leading importer and distributor of premium quality products and therefore a major actor in the fine food & beverage sector as well as the founder of several renowned restaurants, gourmet shops and catering services. His entrepreneurial path and his weekly TV show “Mr. Gourmet”, started in 2012 and still very popular, covering cuisines, culinary products, as well as traditions and food lifestyles from all over the world with a focus on the Mediterranean basin made him a reference in the domain. Michel is Italian certified extra virgin olive oil taste, a key note speaker at national conferences, the former Vice President of the Lebanese Franchise Association and a founding Member of the Italian Lebanese Business Council.Michel is also a high-level athlete; he competed all around Italy and Europe for his glorious Canoe Kayak Club in Milano for over 20 years, and then coaching it. He was member and then Captain of the Italian national team for 4 years participating to a European Championship (ranked 5th) and to a World Championship (ranked 7th). He was a council member of the Lebanese Canoe & Kayak Federation for 4 years and is currently preparing The 225 Challenge - a non-stop solo kayak of 225 Km in the sea. For his outstanding contribution to the national prestige, Michel was awarded Grand Officer of the Star of Italian Solidarity by the President of the Italian Republic, in 2006.