Forbes Center East just lately its checklist of ’20 Leaders Behind Luxurious Eating within the Center East,’ and 5 gifted Lebanese personalities amongst MENA’s prime luxurious eating leaders have made the lower.
Right here’s a glimpse into their extraordinary journeys and contributions to the MENA area’s prime luxurious eating scene.
1. Rabih Fakhreddine: 7 Administration
Rabih Fakhreddine isn’t simply setting tables; he’s setting tendencies. Since founding 7 Administration in 2015, he’s been the mastermind behind widespread venues like Antika, Sayf, and The Theater. His magic contact extends to hotspots throughout Dubai, Riyadh, Beirut, Erbil, and Doha.
7 Administration just lately introduced it is going to be taking widespread Lebanese-owned Meat the Fish to Dubai.
With upcoming tasks like Bagatelle in Athens and collaborations with culinary legend Joel Robuchon on NEOM’s Sindalah Island, Fakhreddine is a power to be reckoned with. Earlier than dazzling the eating scene, he sharpened his enterprise acumen at British American Tobacco.
2. Charbel Mhanna: Blackspoon Administration
Charbel Mhanna took the reins at Blackspoon Administration in 2021 and hasn’t seemed again. His portfolio boasts quite a lot of manufacturers, together with Ibn AlBahr, Allo Beirut, and the MICHELIN Information restaurant Bombay Bungalow.
Beneath his management, Blackspoon has expanded with new areas in Riyadh and Ras Al Khaimah. With a wealthy background as the previous CEO of a number of hospitality teams, Mhanna is all about bringing various eating experiences to life.
3. Nazih Hafez and Antonio Gonzalez: Sundown Hospitality Group
Whereas Antonio Gonzalez and Nazih Hafez would possibly hail from completely different components of the world, collectively they’ve constructed a hospitality empire. Sundown Hospitality Group, based in 2011, now spans 17 international locations with 64 venues. From the colourful SUSHISAMBA to luxurious seaside golf equipment, their choices are as assorted as they’re fabulous.
They even launched their podcast, #SunsetTalks, this yr, making certain that their affect extends past the eating desk. Gonzalez’s journey from media to hospitality, alongside Hafez’s strategic insights, makes them a powerhouse pair.
4. Tony Habre: Addmind
Tony Habre’s entrepreneurial journey started with a bar in Beirut in 2001. Quick ahead to in the present day, and Addmind boasts over 22 manufacturers throughout Europe, the Center East, and Africa. Names like Bar du Port, Babylon, and Iris are just some gems in his crown.
In 2024, Habre’s firm partnered with ADMO Life-style Holding to launch “Alpha-Thoughts,” additional increasing its world footprint. Habre’s knack for creating memorable experiences retains his patrons coming again for extra.
5. Yasmina Hayek: Em Sherif
Yasmina Hayek brings a contact of magnificence to each dish she creates at Em Sherif. Based in 2011, the model now consists of Em Sherif Restaurant, Café, Sea Café, and Deli, with a presence throughout MENA and Europe.
This yr, Hayek teamed up with Prada for a bespoke cocktail menu on the Monaco Grand Prix and opened a MICHELIN Information restaurant in Monaco’s Lodge de Paris. Earlier than dazzling diners at Em Sherif, she honed her abilities at among the world’s prime eating places, together with Copenhagen’s three-Michelin-starred Geranium.
As well as, 7 Administration took the rights to franchise and increase Em Sherif within the UAE.
Others:
- Ayman Baky (Egyptian) – Founder & CEO, Baky Hospitality Group
- Basil Al Salem (Kuwaiti) – Founder & Group CEO, Gastronomica
- Bhupender Nath (Indian) – Founder & Managing Director, Ardour F&B
- Evgeny Kuzin (Russian) – Chairman, Basic Hospitality
- Faisal Shaker (Saudi) – Cofounder & CEO, Trendy Meals Firm (MFC)
- Giovanni Bolandrini (Italian) – CEO & Associate, Pier88 Group
- Mohammed Jawa (Saudi) – Founder & Chairman, MJS Holding
- Natasha Sideris (South African) – Founder & CEO, Tashas Group
- Panchali Mahendra (Indian) – CEO, Atelier Home Hospitality
- Akmal Anuar (Singaporean) – Founder & Chef-Proprietor, White Rice
- Ramzy Abdul-Majeed (British-Jordanian) – Founder & Chairman, Huge On Hospitality
- Rizwan Kassim (French) – Founder & CEO, RIKAS Hospitality Group
- Benoit Lamonerie (French) – Founder & CEO, 111 Administration
- Roaya Saleh (Bahraini) – Chef Patron & Proprietor, RS Administration
- Varun Khemaney & Khalil Dahmash (Indian & Palestinian) – Cofounders & Managing Companions, VKD Hospitality Group
These culinary trailblazers are setting the stage for luxurious eating within the MENA area, every bringing their distinctive taste to the desk.
