As executive chef and co-owner of Em Sherif Group, Yasmina Hayek has taken Lebanese cuisine to the world, adding innovation to heritage with resounding success. We learn more about her culinary journey and achievements, which include winning several top industry awards.
Winning formulas are behind many success stories, including the impressive culinary achievements of Yasmina Hayek.
As executive chef and co-owner of Em Sherif, she has taken Lebanese cuisine global, introducing and reintroducing it to diners worldwide.
A key part of Hayek’s success is her hallmark approach of incorporating fresh ideas into cuisine rooted in familial culinary traditions. The heritage of everything that her mother, mentor and business partner, Mireille Hayek, has built is respected and honored. But it has been given a new edge for today’s diners.
A culinary balancing act
Indeed, Hayek family hospitality lies at the heart of the company’s offering, rooted in Mireille’s love for hosting.
“My mother’s generosity and passion were transported from our home to her restaurants,” [Yasmina] Hayek explained.
- Shérif Group has gone from strength to strength since its launch, with one successful opening after another. And, aligned with this expansion, Yasmina Hayek has introduced ideas, innovations and techniques acquired during her personal culinary journey. A journey, she explained, which has included a formal culinary education and experience gained in Michelin-starred kitchens.
Building on a legacy
Hayek’s role in the Em Sherif Group success story has indeed been multi-pronged. Aside from bringing a fresh edge to the brand by innovating menus, she has actively driven its international expansion. Today, the group’s portfolio includes 24 restaurants worldwide, including a new, high-profile opening in Paris. This latest launch marks a major milestone for both the M. Shérif brand and Lebanese cuisine as a whole.
Hayek likened a restaurant opening to the staging of a fashion show. The organization has to be flawless, she explained, to allow every detail to shine through. “There’s no room for error, but that’s what makes it exciting,” she noted.
Passion for what she does is undoubtedly a major contributor to Hayek’s success, providing the drive and motivation that dovetail so well with her creativity.
“It’s about waking up every day proud of what you do,” she noted.
Hayek also highlighted the importance of surrounding yourself with people who share your dedication, from family to employees.
“Success is always a collective effort,” she noted. “Do what you love and accept that challenges are part of the journey.”
Global recognition
Hayek’s achievements have brought her several outstanding accolades including, most recently, HORECA Lebanon’s Lebanese Culinary Innovation Award in 2025. Other impressive achievements include, in 2024, becoming the first woman in the Middle East to receive the Michelin Young Chef Award. She was also named Best Female Chef at the World’s 50 Best MENA Awards 2025.
Speaking at HORECA Lebanon 2025, Joumana Dammous-Salamé, managing director of Hospitality Services, aptly summed up Hayek’s achievements. “Yasmina is a visionary redefining Lebanese cuisine while preserving its heart and soul,” she said.
Insights from Hard Talk, part of HORECA Talks 2025 at HORECA Lebanon, organized by Hospitality News Middle East. Session moderated by Lisa Jerejian, communications manager at Hospitality Services and Nada Alameddine, Managing Partner at Hodema Consulting Services.
