Yasmina Hayek, Executive Chef of the acclaimed Lebanese restaurant group Em Sherif, has been named the Middle East & North Africa’s (MENA) Best Female Chef 2025. Hayek, who runs the local branch of Em Sherif at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, will receive the award at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on 28th January.
Yasmina Hayek, the daughter of Mireille Hayek, who founded the global sensation Em Sherif, grew up in a household where cooking was revered as an art form.
She went on to graduate from the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon before honing her culinary skills under renowned chefs across Europe. Since taking the reins at Em Sherif, she has overseen its expansion to 24 locations across the Middle East and Europe, including the adored Monaco branch at the Hôtel de Paris, as well as other popular locations in the UK, Qatar, Egypt and the UAE.
Diners at Em Sherif’s Monaco address can expect a Lebanese-Mediterranean menu that features fresh and tasty starter dishes like fattoush, a traditional Lebanese salad with radish, cucumber, tomatoes, croutons, and pomegranate molasses, and adas, a warming lentil soup with coriander and pomegranate molasses. Main courses include a scrumptious lobster moghrabiyeh with semolina in a tomato-basil bisque and riz sharki, a lamb shoulder served with rice and grilled nuts. Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy desserts like classic baklava or Em Ali, a raisin, pistachio, and almond feuilleté infused with vanilla.
William Drew, Director of Content for MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, has praised Hayek’s achievements, saying, “Yasmina Hayek’s leadership at Em Sherif is a beacon of Lebanese hospitality. Her dedication to refined dining has inspired chefs and captivated diners globally. We are proud to honour her achievements this January in Abu Dhabi.”
Reflecting on the award, Hayek said, “I am incredibly grateful to receive this year’s MENA’s Best Female Chef Award. This recognition is not just for me, but for everyone at Em Sherif who shares the same commitment to our roots and passion for our craft.”
She continued, “For me, cooking is about more than just the food we prepare – it’s about creating a space where people feel welcomed, valued, and at home, no matter where they come from or where they are. In a world that can feel divided, I believe that food is a bridge and not a wedge. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to share the flavours of my heritage with the world.”
The MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, which will be held in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism on 28th January, will celebrate the wider region’s vibrant culinary talent.
Additional honours include the Art of Hospitality Award, set to be announced on 7th January, and the American Express One-To-Watch Award, which will follow on 16th January. Together, these accolades spotlight the exceptional individuals and establishments shaping the Middle East and North Africa’s culinary landscape.
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Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM