Joey Ghazal
Born
Joseph Fred Ghazal

(1978-09-15) September 15, 1978
Montreal, Quebec
NationalityCanadian
Alma materConcordia University
Occupation(s)Restaurateur and Commercial Developer
Known forFounding The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, The MAINE Street Eatery, The MAINE Land Brasserie, The MAINE Mayfair (London), MAINE Ibiza, Canary Club, FighterBrands & Million Oyster Project
Websitejoeyghazal.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,  Dubai and London.[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's 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]

In 2017 Ghazal created "Barbary Deli & Cocktail Club" a clandestine parisian inspired cocktail bar.[10][11]

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.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Eduan R Maggo, "Joey Ghazal : Every Hands A Winner"" Archived 2019-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, 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. 1 2 Devina Divecha, "Joey Ghazal crowned as Restaurateur of the Year 2018", Caterer Magazine, May 10, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "5 Question Friday with Joey Ghazal of The Maine" Archived 2020-11-24 at the Wayback Machine, figjamco.com, February 1, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Best Dressed Men in the Middle East -Joey Ghazal", esquireme.com,.
  7. 1 2 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" Archived 2014-07-25 at the Wayback Machine, tourism-lebanon.com, July 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ Laura Coughlin,"Review: The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill", whatson.ae, December 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ "The Esquire 100 - Joey Ghazal", esquireme.com,.
  11. ↑ Katy Gillett, "A new branch of The Maine to open in Dubai's Business Bay", The National,April 15, 2019.
  12. ↑ Claudia De Brito, "Caterer ME Power 50 2017: Independents", hoteliermiddleeast.com, December 10, 2017.
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