Joey Ghazal

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Joey Ghazal
Born
Joseph Fred Ghazal

(1978-09-15) September 15, 1978 (age 43)
Montreal, Quebec
NationalityCanada
Alma materConcordia University
OccupationRestaurateur and Commercial Developer
Known forFounding The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, Barbary Deli & Cocktail Club
Websitewww.joeyghazal.com

Joey Ghazal (born September 15, 1978) is a Canadian restaurateur and founder of Fighterbrands Holdings Ltd, Pine Tree State Trading Co and The MAINE.[1][2] Ghazal has developed, owned and managed notable restaurant and bar concepts in Beirut and Dubai.[3] He has been recognized by Caterer Magazine as "Middle East Restaurateur of the Year".[4]

Background and education[]

Born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Dubai, Ghazal graduated from Dubai College in 1995 as a Theater and History Major. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.[5]

Career[]

Ghazal started his career in 1998 at the young age of 18 as a busboy at "La Queue de Cheval Steakhouse & Bar" in Montreal. He worked his way up the ranks from waiter to Assistant restaurant manager, to Director of Marketing for the "Morentzos Restaurant Group" (MRG) owned by Peter Morentzos.[6]

Joey Ghazal spent three years living in London between 1999 and 2003 where he studied Film Production and Scriptwriting at "Raindance Studios" and while working for the Soho House.[7]

After leaving MRG in 2009, Joey moved to Beirut, Lebanon, where he created, owned and operated four unique concepts: "Cro Magnon Steakhouse & Bar" and "St. Elmo’s Seaside Brasserie on Zaitunay Bay", "The Angry Monkey" which was franchised to Dubai’s Stereo Arcade Complex in 2013 and "Brgr Co".[8]

In 2013 Ghazal moved back to Dubai to establish "Fighterbrands Holding Ltd" a creative agency that develops, owns and manages restaurant and bar concepts.[5] In 2014 Ghazal established "Pine Tree State Trading Co" a BVI company that owns "The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill", Dubai's first homegrown New England Seaside Brasserie.[7][9][10]

In 2017 Ghazal created "Barbary Deli & Cocktail Club" a clandestine parisian inspired cocktail bar.[11][12]

Awards[]

Ghazal was awarded ‘Middle East Restaurateur of the Year for 2018’ by Caterer Magazine.[4] He is also listed in the yearly ‘Power 50’ issue as the "4th Most Powerful Independent Restaurateur" in the Middle East.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ Eduan R Maggo, "Joey Ghazal : Every Hands A Winner"", Debonair Magazine,.
  2. ^ Simon Ritchie, "Joey Ghazal reveals new Maine concept set to open in Dubai, hints at a third soon", Caterer Magazine, January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ Alice Holtham, "First look: The Maine Street Eatery opens in Dubai Studio City", whatson.ae, May 22, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Devina Divecha, "Joey Ghazal crowned as Restaurateur of the Year 2018", Caterer Magazine, May 10, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "5 Question Friday with Joey Ghazal of The Maine", figjamco.com, February 1, 2019.
  6. ^ "Best Dressed Men in the Middle East -Joey Ghazal", esquireme.com,.
  7. ^ a b Lucy Barnard,"SME profile: Escapee from Beirut violence finds the world is his oyster", The National, May 14, 2016.
  8. ^ Briggette Sayegh,"Innovation in Beirut’s restaurant industry", tourism-lebanon.com, July 24, 2012.
  9. ^ Laura Coughlin,"Review: The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill", whatson.ae, December 9, 2015.
  10. ^ Claudia De Brito, "The MAINE Man", Caterer Magazine, May 8, 2018.
  11. ^ "The Esquire 100 - Joey Ghazal", esquireme.com,.
  12. ^ Katy Gillett, "A new branch of The Maine to open in Dubai's Business Bay", The National,April 15, 2019.
  13. ^ Claudia De Brito, "Caterer ME Power 50 2017: Independents", hoteliermiddleeast.com, December 10, 2017.
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