Latest news with #DaniChakour
Al Etihad
13-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Alpha Dhabi company becomes controlling shareholder in Lebanese fine dining brand
13 July 2025 19:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)ADMO Lifestyle Holding (ADMO), a joint venture between Alpha Dhabi Holding PJSC and Monterock International Limited, has become the majority shareholder in the acclaimed Lebanese fine dining brand Em Sherif, further bolstering its growing luxury hospitality strategic move follows ADMO's initial investment in the brand in October 2023 and signifies a key milestone in its commitment to shaping the future of global premium 56 signed outlets across 29 countries and 29 operating outlets in 16 countries—including high-profile locations such as Abu Dhabi, Monaco, Paris, and the iconic Harrods in London—Em Sherif has become a symbol of Lebanese culinary heritage on the international stage. The brand offers a range of concepts, from fine dining to deli-style experiences, rooted in tradition and increased investment and strategic backing will accelerate Em Sherif's expansion plans, which target 68 outlets across the GCC and beyond by 2027. This growth aligns with ADMO's vision to deliver holistic, luxurious, and immersive experiences for global Nandi, Group CEO of ADMO, commented: 'ADMO is proud to announce its majority acquisition of Em Sherif, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to shaping the future of premium hospitality. With this strategic move, ADMO will take a leading role in steering the global expansion and long-term vision of the Em Sherif brand as it enters a bold new chapter on the world stage. By combining Em Sherif's distinctive culinary heritage with ADMO's operational excellence and international platform, we are set to unlock new opportunities.'Dani Chakour, CEO of Em Sherif, added: 'This partnership with ADMO marks a transformational moment for Em Sherif. As we continue to evolve from a regional success story to a global hospitality brand, ADMO's majority stake brings not only investment, but a shared vision and deep operational expertise. Together, we are aligned in our ambition to preserve the authenticity of Em Sherif while accelerating its international expansion. With ADMO by our side, we are ready to scale with impact, integrity, and excellence.' The deal is expected to create significant synergy between the two companies as they capitalise on growing global demand for luxury, heritage-driven hospitality. It also diversifies and strengthens ADMO's expanding portfolio, which already includes leading brands such as Nammos Group, CÉ LA VI, and AlphaMind.
Arab News
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Em Sherif Art Foundation reimagines global restaurants as cultural hubs
DUBAI: With 24 outposts around the world, the minds behind Lebanese restaurant Em Sherif are keenly aware of their responsibility when it comes to sharing the country's culinary culture with international audiences. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Now, they are taking things one step further with the launch of the Em Sherif Art Foundation that aims to provide increased visibility for artists through restaurants — in Doha, Monaco, London, Paris and Dubai, among other cities — which are being reimagined as cultural hubs. Earlier this year, the Em Sherif Cafe in Paris showcased the work of Lebanese photographer Ziad Antar, and part of the initiative sees diners at all Em Sherif locations presented with three menus — a food menu, a drinks menu and an art menu — inviting guests to engage with the evolving story of contemporary Lebanese art. Em Sherif CEO and co-founder of the art foundation, Dani Chakour, spoke to Arab News about the cultural initiative. 'The art menu is not intended for commercial or financial purposes. Rather, it serves as a curated catalogue that showcases the artworks currently on display,' he said. The decision to focus exclusively on Lebanese artists was intentional, Chakour added. 'In Lebanon, it is often the private sector that drives meaningful cultural and artistic initiatives, as government support for the arts remains limited. Through this foundation, we aim to be an added value for our artists, helping them gain the visibility and recognition they deserve on a global scale. 'We need active public-sector involvement: We need more art fairs, modern infrastructure, supportive tariffs and dedicated museums. Without this foundational support, our artists will continue to be overlooked, despite their remarkable talent,' he said. Chakour, who has a personal collection of more than 600 artworks, spotlighted celebrated names in the international art industry who he says benefited from working abroad. 'Huguette Caland, Gibran Khalil Gibran, Etel Adnan, Mona Hatoum, Walid Raad, Yvette Ashkar, Amin Maalouf, they are some of Lebanon's most celebrated names. But what do they all have in common? They each spent the majority of their careers abroad, in environments that offered the right ecosystems … this is not a reflection of a lack of talent in Lebanon. On the contrary, it's a reflection of what's missing structurally; the institutional support, the infrastructure, the public funding, the museums, the cultural policies and the global exposure. 'At Em Sherif Art Foundation, we're driven by a mission to help bridge that gap — to create opportunities within and beyond Lebanon so that our artists don't need to leave home in order to rise,' Chakour said, noting that showcases by artists Christine Safa, Willy Aractengi, Ayman Baalbaki, Hussein Madi and Bibi Zogbe will be hosted in the coming months.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Meet The Art Foundation Celebrating Lebanese Creativity Through Its Rich Cuisine
The new Em Sherif Art Foundation is celebrating Lebanese art and creativity abroad through the country's rich cuisine Bringing together both outstanding cuisine and inspiring art, Em Sherif is now expanding its celebration of Lebanon's culture beyond the dining table, offering Lebanese creators a platform to showcase their creative talents worldwide with the newly formed Em Sherif Art Foundation. Created by Em Sherif founder and chef Mireille Hayek – along with brother and CEO Dani Chakour, and son and curator Sherif Hayek – the Em Sherif Art Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a mission to nurture and promote Lebanese artists through Em Sherif restaurants around the world. Within these collaborations, this ambitious initiative aims to provide increased visibility for artists, raising awareness for Lebanese art and culture on the international stage. Meaning 'The Mother of Sherif' in Arabic, Mireille Hayek opened her first Em Sherif restaurant in Beirut in 2011, as a contemporary take on traditional Lebanese food and familial hospitality, passed down from generation to generation. The brand has since exploded in popularity, with 24 venues across 12 cities around the world, including Doha, Monaco, London and Dubai. 'The Art Foundation is another meaningful way for us to give back to our beloved Lebanese community,' Mireille Hayek told Bazaar. 'Our passion and mission remain the same; to offer our guests an invigorating and wholesome experience that sparks curiosity and nourishes the heart and soul.' 'Art has always been part of my life,' adds Sherif Hayek. 'I studied it, worked in galleries and began collecting early on. At the same time, I've always been inspired by what my family built with Em Sherif. [This is] the perfect opportunity to bring these two worlds together.' This venture transforms Em Sherif restaurants into cultural hubs where food, design and art blend together. Upon entering, diners are presented with an 'art menu', highlighting the artists on display and their works, allowing both audiences and artists to engage with one another. This strengthens the position of Lebanese creatives within the worldwide art scene, providing much needed exposure. Currently showing at Em Sherif Café in Paris, Ziad Antar is a Beirut-based artist and photographer; the Em Sherif Art Foundation's first exhibitor. Born in 1978, his practice focuses on the material complexity of photography, pushing it beyond its traditionally documentary nature, and interrogating the unpredictability of the image creation process. 'We are steadfast in our commitment to supporting local talent and deeply believe in the extraordinary creativity of our people,' said Mireille Hayek. 'To the wider Em Sherif community, the Art Foundation stands as our enduring promise to celebrate and share the very best of our city and its people. We can't imagine a more beautiful or powerful way to do so.'
