Em Sherif Just Launched An Art Foundation, Here Are the Details

Em Sherif’s iconic culinary experience has always been a celebration of Lebanese culture. Now, that celebration is expanding beyond the plate with the launch of the Em Sherif Art Foundation; a non-profit initiative dedicated to showcasing Lebanese creativity on the global stage.

The Em Sherif Art Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Lebanese artists and talents. Its mission is to provide a platform for Lebanese talent, to showcase their work in Em Sherif restaurants worldwide. 

Curated by Sherif Hayek, who brings a background in art history, and co-founded by Chef Mireille Hayek and CEO Dani Chakour, the foundation transforms Em Sherif restaurants into cultural destinations, where diners receive not just a food and drinks menu, but an “Art Menu” as well.

^{Potato Portraits, 2025 by Ziad Antar captured at Em Sherif Café Paris}

By partnering with Em Sherif restaurants and locations across the globe, the foundation seeks to create opportunities for artists to reach new audiences, thereby contributing to the cultural dialogue in each city while giving back to the artists directly.

The idea was born from Dani Chakour’s personal passion for contemporary art, which led him to build a private collection of over 600 works. Now, that passion is being translated into a platform that offers visibility and opportunity to Lebanese artists around the world.

^{Kiev, 2024 by Ziad Antar captured at Em Sherif Café Paris}

The foundation debuted internationally at Em Sherif Café Paris, featuring the works of Lebanese photographer Ziad Antar, whose meditative pieces explore memory, impermanence, and historical nuance.

“Art has always been part of my life — I studied it, worked in galleries, and began collecting early on. At the same time, I’ve always been inspired by what my family built with Em Sherif. When my uncle Dani suggested creating an art foundation, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring these two worlds together. The Em Sherif Art Foundation is a non-profit initiative dedicated to promoting Lebanese artists on a global scale. Just as Em Sherif celebrates Lebanon through food, generosity, and hospitality, the foundation shares our culture through creativity and art.”

– Sherif Hayek, Curator of Em Sherif Art Foundation

Make sure to check out their website and follow them on Instagram for more information. You can also reach out via email on info@emsherif-art.com.

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