Founder and general manager, Steakbarsushi, Lebanon
Qualifications
MSC in Retail Management
Place of study
Cranfield School of Management, UK
First job
Doing my school homework.
Motto
“Be phenomenal or be forgotten.”
Ultimate goal in life
“Breed dragons.”
Advice for the next generation
“Don’t settle for a job or a profession or even a career, seek a ‘calling’.”
“Introverted, intuitionistic, thinker and judgmental person; at least that’s what my Myers-briggs test indicates…” So says Charbel Makhlouf, who also describes himself as an “idealistic anarchist”. When studying for a Master’s in Retail Management in the UK, Makhlouf specialized in Consumer Psychology and Behavior. This fascination with human nature, combined with time spent traveling abroad extensively, convinced him that he wanted to work in F&B, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, Makhlouf, whose family business spans several foodrelated ventures, including a store and butchery, set out to create an experiential, off-the-wall concept, in the form of Steakbarsushi. The focus of this entirely original concept is on quirkiness, diversity, in terms of menu offerings and décor, new or no rules, and giving diners a memorable experience.