LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Coming from an architectural background before eventually starting a catering business, Nicolas Audi, founder of Nicolas Audi Catering, is seen as an inspiration to his three children, who are also a part of the business. “They were not obliged to join the family business but they were interested and I hope to evolve with them,” said Nicolas. He mentions that “Lebanese cuisine is not evolving as much as it should, and the upcoming generation can revolutionize it through research and intellectual effort, allowing it to organically progress on a macro level.”

Bechara Audi is the eldest of the three siblings and was the first to join; studying business and contributing by implementing new cooking methods, strategies, and techniques, having recently acquired a food smoking machine.

Taking over the business and marketing end of the spectrum, Karim Audi is the youngest sibling and was inspired by the work of his father, deciding that he would rather use his skills for the good of the family business rather than someone else’s. “We learn something new every day and feed off the creativity of each other. Work goes home with you and problems or successes at the office continue to the dinner table and vice versa. But it is constructive as it can lead to brainstorming

and coming up with new ideas.”

Making up part of the pastry section, Nayla Audi joined the family business two years ago, studying architecture and eventually changing careers to join the family business. “It’s natural to have challenges in a family business, but it pushes you to evolve. When I first started, the pastry kitchen was smaller, but since then, things have changed.”

I hope to evolve with them