The Lighthouse Conversations

About

Hashem Montasser, Founder of the The Lighthouse Restaurant & Concept Store in Dubai Design District, is a raconteur who avidly follows the work of arts, culture, technology and, of course, food. In a series of conversations aimed at introducing its audience to the Middle East’s entrepreneurial landscape, Hashem asks his guests about their life journeys, inspirations, successes and failures and everything in-between.

Episodes

Hashem Montasser

“I’m competing with white space”: Heba El Gabaly on designing the future

Hashem Montasser

“I saw a massive gap in institutionalizing the real estate process. And I wanted to take a crack at it.“ Abdullah Alajaji on identifying market gaps in real estate and playing the long game

Chirag Desai

"People walk in as strangers and leave as family. That is what Bait Maryam is all about." Chef Salam Dakkak on honoring her mother’s legacy through every single dish.

Hashem Montasser

“The region is going through a renaissance within the creative industry that I very much want to be part of.” Sultan Al Darmaki on bridging silos in the creative ecosystem, and finding that right balance to keep being inspired

Hashem Montasser

“The Middle East is the best market for all luxury brands worldwide” Rami Al Ali on bridging cultural divides, redefining Arab luxury, and the evolution of modern identity through couture

Hashem Montasser

“Luxury isn’t just about products that are crazy expensive.” Samir Aghera on navigating heritage abroad, celebrating the spirit of nomadism, and redefining the essence of luxury experiences

Hashem Montasser

“I have a vision of leaving a legacy with this brand” Faiza Bouguessa on her journey through the world of fashion, being true to her vision, and leaving a legacy for the Middle-East

Hashem Montasser

“I’m very comfortable around people who are homesick but not sure where home is.” Avni Doshi on the impact of culture, motherhood and identity on her creative writing process, and the UAE’s nascent literary ecosystem

Hashem Montasser

“If somebody calls hummus a dip again, I'm going to scream!” Fadi Kattan on why food is so central to his celebrating his Palestinian heritage and on the magical powers of oral history.

Hashem Montasser

“I’m an art pragmatist. You need a balance.” Hashem Montasser talks to Caroline Louca about growing up around art, themes in his current collection, and how The Lighthouse fits in with his mission to support Arab artists.

Hashem Montasser

“When I see a few characters in a painting, I create my own stories.” Elie Khouri on his multiple career pivots, the joy of collecting art & having fun on ‘Shark Tank’

Hashem Montasser

“When I see everybody walking in a certain direction, I like to choose the other path” Hamad Al Awar on juggling founding burger brand ‘High Joint’, being a police officer, a visual animator and a father

Hashem Montasser

“Dubai is like a millefeuille. There are layers and layers.” Mohamed Maktabi on the rich history of his family’s business and his passion for storytelling through the intricate artistry of carpets

Hashem Montasser

Chirag Desai

2023: (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah

Hashem Montasser

“Not everybody is going to like me. I’ve accepted that.” Mariana Wehbe on her remarkable journey from a corporate job at DHL to becoming a PR powerhouse and founding WE Design Beirut

Hashem Montasser

“I try to remember often that this is the greatest experience of my life” Tom Arnel on the thrill of building purposeful spaces and managing stress in a high-level role

Hashem Montasser

“I learned what absolute zero feels like.” Hassan Sheheryar Yassin on starting from zero, conquering fear of failure and a serendipitous meeting with William & Kate.

Hashem Montasser

“My father eats, sleeps, and breathes design.” Nakkash on its 40th anniversary as a family-run business, the future of collectible design in the UAE, and passing the baton from one generation to the next

Hashem Montasser

“The thrill of the chase has always been my thing.” Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Excel

Hashem Montasser

“As a Khaleeji guy, I had to prove myself over and over.” Meshary AlNassar on finding his footing as a designer, navigating interior design trends and the benefit of having a good eye

Hashem Montasser

“There is nothing wrong with romanticizing Cairo.” Mai Eldib on her book ‘Cairo Eternal’ and what makes Cairo magical

Hashem Montasser

“You can’t lead with arrogance.” Tasha Group’s Natasha Sideris on taming ambition, striving for balance as a restaurateur, and why there’s no way she’ll open in Greece

Hashem Montasser

“Depriving me from Arabic was limiting” Publisher Yasmina Jraissati on unlocking the potential of Arabic and how she accidentally became a rebel with a cause

Hashem Montasser

“A dish is like a door into an entire people.” Nouri restaurant’s Ivan Brehm on his passion for “crossroads” cooking and the best advice he ever received

Hashem Montasser

Bonus: Ice baths and social media, with Shereen Al-Mulla

Hashem Montasser

“It’s our responsibility to keep our heritage alive.” Shereen Al-Mulla on launching Hikma Rituals, motherhood, and reclaiming her heritage

Hashem Montasser

“Finance is riddled with emotion.” Cordoba Advisory’s Rami Sarafa on demystifying the art of investing & the importance of psychology in wealth management

Hashem Montasser

“To look at buildings you have to peel away the signage then reconstruct.” Mohamed Elshahed on tracing Cairo’s human experience, one building at a time

Hashem Montasser

“Artists are the last truth sayers.” Sunny Rahbar on having a front seat to Dubai’s art scene propelling itself onto the global stage and the unlikely rise of The Third Line in its midst

Hashem Montasser

“When you do something right, everyone comes to you.” Ayman Baky on grit, perseverance in the F&B industry, and reshaping Egypt’s restaurant culture

Hashem Montasser

Chirag Desai

2022: Don’t Sweat the Technique

Hashem Montasser

“Design: If it’s well done, it’s an emotional experience.” Museum of the Future’s Brendan McGetrick on technology and curiosity as human experiences

Hashem Montasser

“We feel a trend before it becomes mainstream.” The Bokja founders on why storytelling is central to their brand image

Hashem Montasser

“You should prepare for the right type of luck to find you.” Silicon Valley Bank’s Ashraf Hebela on the value of a long-term mindset in startup investing

Hashem Montasser

“There was instinct and learning-as-you-go, no playbook.” Aramex founder Fadi Ghandour on building a heritage company

Hashem Montasser

“Success is not only measured by financial results but also by cultural relevance.” Ahmad Al Marri on why community support was crucial to Canvas Gelato’s success

Hashem Montasser

Samantha Wood

“Everyone has written off Dubai at one point.” Dubai Tourism CEO Issam Kazim on how Dubai bounced back post-pandemic

Hashem Montasser

“Energy and lots of seasoning…that’s nafas.” Chef Mohamad Orfali and his sensational culinary pivot from TV chef to award winning restaurateur

Hashem Montasser

“I’ve always been a strong believer in offering financial services to the unbanked.” Mounir Nakhon on turbo-charging growth at Halan

Hashem Montasser

“The issue with progress is that it’s seldom linear.” Nadia Wassef on life after publishing a debut memoir

Hashem Montasser

“I can figure out your personality by walking around your space.” Anoud Alzaben on the process of creating and immortalizing ephemeral tablescapes

Hashem Montasser

“I’m half woman, half to-do list!” Stasha Toncev on her improbable journey from Belgrade to Dubai and what it took to launch Balkan bistro 21 Grams

Hashem Montasser

Samantha Wood

“The Michelin Guides are consistent; one star in Dubai equals one star in Paris” Michelin Guides’ Gwendal Poullennec debunks urban legends surrounding the iconic restaurant guide

Hashem Montasser

Samantha Wood

MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants with Claudia de Brito and Samantha Wood aka FooDiva “The fact that we have this list is a vote of confidence for the MENA region.”

Hashem Montasser

“If you want to employ more women, design your workplace around it.” Rania Masri El Khatib’s call to arms for female employees is loud and clear

Hashem Montasser

“You can’t force a talent to go into production.” Cyril Zammit on Dubai’s evolving design landscape, the role of government support and the future of NFTs

Hashem Montasser

“Most of the time I’m right when it comes to food.” Bedouinfoodie Hani Almalki on the multi-cultural cuisine of the Hijaz region, why Saudi’s culinary scene is about to pop and the real origins of Hummus

Hashem Montasser

Chirag Desai

2021: A Podcast Odyssey

Hashem Montasser

“Food is an open ended problem, we’ll never perfect it.” Amir Allam, Founder of Elmenus on his obsession with problem solving & how he will meet his biggest challenge yet - building Elmenus to scale

Hashem Montasser

“Investors look for traction and founder’s pedigree.” Ramy Adeeb shares his journey from computer science to building his own venture capital firm, 1984 Ventures

Hashem Montasser

“Success in design means finding a good recipe and dreaming big.” Design wunderkinder David & Nicolas on 10 years as a successful brand and what makes their partnership click

Hashem Montasser

“Investing is about proving a thesis.” Feras Jalbout on the nascent investing culture in the region, crypto currencies and launching his trading app Baraka

Hashem Montasser

“Barbeque is an analogue experience.” Hattem Mattar on the subtle science of live fire cuisine and why he finally made the jump to a full time gig

Hashem Montasser

“Nothing is more important than the founder.” Khaled Talhouni on his journey from venture capital to supporting startups with Nuwa Capital

Hashem Montasser

“I had a feeling of hybridity that I wanted to both capture and express” Hashem Montasser on his journey from Wall Street to building The Lighthouse from the ground up

Hashem Montasser

“When it comes to homegrown concepts in Dubai, this is only the beginning.” Sandy El Hayek on Dubai’s F&B scene & how to play it for the long haul

Hashem Montasser

Maha Maamoun on her multidisciplinary art practice and the importance of making art accessible to a wider audience

Hashem Montasser

“Curiosity is a blessing and a curse.” Manal Ataya on why curiosity became an essential trait in navigating her career as museum director

Hashem Montasser

‘Preserving our heritage is to preserve ourselves.’ Designer Nada Debs on the inspirations of hybridity & true craftsmanship, plus creating her own contemporary design language.

Hashem Montasser

‘For a review, I have to be in the right state of mind.’ Samantha Wood AKA FooDiva on her restaurant review process, Dubai’s F&B scene & the ONE review that broke the internet

Hashem Montasser

“I use my shows to make a statement,” gallerist Isabelle van den Eynde on her curatorial techniques, working with Emirati artist Hassan Sharif and the challenges of showing art through the pandemic

Hashem Montasser

‘If your concept isn’t differentiated, you’re selling hot air.’ Samer Hamadeh on his mission as an F&B owner/operator and how to develop an edge

Hashem Montasser

‘Every act of reading is historical,’ Nadia Wassef on the art of reading vs. the craft of writing, and the business of founding Diwan, one of Egypt’s most popular modern book stores

Hashem Montasser

Helen Farmer on evolving into a social media influencer & mompreneur yet maintaining a work-life balance while in the public eye

Hashem Montasser

Chirag Desai

2020 in the Review Mirror

Hashem Montasser

“You need to have a niche and really invest in yourself.” Tariq Khayyat on architecture in the region; working with Zaha Hadid; and his advice for aspiring architects

Hashem Montasser

‘Gear your life towards more than one legacy,’ Chef Daniel Boulud on wearing multiple hats to turbocharge a successful multi-decade career

Hashem Montasser

“You can’t be noticed unless there is sincerity in your work.” Fashion designer Yasmine Yeya on being inspired by Egypt’s beauty, landing Jennifer Lopez as a customer, and debunking the overnight success myth

Hashem Montasser

“I’m not going to measure somebody by whether or not they’ve had a show at the MoMA,” Maya Allison on her curatorial techniques and how she forged a successful artist-curator bond ahead of the UAE Pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale

Hashem Montasser

‘ “Life is beautiful” has become a personal philosophy for me.’ Fatafeat founder Youssef El Deeb on his creative journey across media platforms

Hashem Montasser

“We don't have pills for eating disorders.” Eating Disorder expert Carine El Khazen on signs for the early detection of mental health issues, and how to cope with the collective trauma of the pandemic.

Hashem Montasser

“You’re not investing in my husband, you’re investing in me” Bulkwhiz Founder, Amira Rashad, on navigating the entrepreneurial landscape as a woman

Chirag Desai

Hashem Montasser

Hashem Montasser on lessons he learned from his first year of podcasting and why content is always king

Zeina El-Dana on the changing face of PR and why female mentorship matters

Richard Windsor on the implications of breaking up Big Tech, why Apple and Google are surprisingly similar, and what the Tik Tok fuss is all about.

Hashem Montasser

Debra Kletter on creating magical “food experiences” for her clients and why flavors have memory

Hashem Montasser

Raja Al Mazrouei on Dubai’s fintech initiative and why she’s betting on a digital banking future

Hashem Montasser

Nelio Leone on how Italian grannies are the ultimate weapons of mass surveillance & why privacy concerns should be on everyone’s mind

Hashem Montasser

Tarik Al-Zaharna on finding his voice in the region’s architectural landscape and why friction is sometimes necessary when creating new design concepts

Hashem Montasser

Louis Lebbos on why we haven’t yet seen a superagency in the region & supporting local entrepreneurs

Hashem Montasser

Chirag Desai

Hashem Montasser and Hany Bassiouny on adapting The Lighthouse’s strategy for the post-Covid-19 era

Hashem Montasser

Chris Khalifa on pivoting from investment banking to F&B by starting Egyptian street food icon Zööba and learning key lessons after initially failing fast and hard.

Hashem Montasser

Amina Naguib on B_URN taking Cairo by storm & building a lifestyle business centered around physical and mental well-being

Vilma Jurkute on developing Alserkal Avenue into an arts & culture hub by taking risks on risk-takers

Hashem Montasser

Zaki Nusseibeh chronicles his personal journey with art & the importance of storytelling in building identities

Hashem Montasser

Reif Othman on propelling Zuma into one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants and on launching his own, Reif Kushiyaki

Hashem Montasser

Mohamad Ballout on how to capitalize on being a first mover & positioning cloud kitchen pioneer Kitopi as a global brand

Hashem Montasser

Isobel Abulhoul on building book centric businesses & instilling reading habits in children

Hashem Montasser

Orit Mohammed on launching Boon Coffee & breaking the stereotypes around Ethiopian women and female entrepreneurship

Patrick Rogers on how startup founders can avoid common pitfalls

Daneh Buahmad on juggling three careers & empowering women through her fashion designs

Myrna Ayad on the evolution & perception of Middle East art

Pre-opening diaries

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