Qualifications
BA Hospitality Management
Place of Study
American University of Science and Technology, Lebanon
First job
Commis chef
Motto
“Always lead and never follow.”
Ultimate goal in life
“Establish a global portfolio of leading, sub-culture-driven F&B concepts.”
Advice for the next generation
“Hard work alone is never enough. Creativity and solid strategy will always win in the end.”

Profile
With a stellar resume featuring more than 10 years of industry experience, and as runner up in the prestigious Global Final Bacardi Legacy competition, Jad Ballout has established himself as not only a respected bartender, but also an international thought leader in creativity and craftsmanship. Under his leadership, his bar has received numerous industry heavyweight awards, including: 27th and 26th place on the list of World’s 50 Best Bars in 2018 and 2016 respectively; Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa in 2018 and 2016; and a coveted position on the Tales of the Cocktails’ list of Top 10 Best International High Volume Cocktail Bars in 2018 and 2016. Together with his partners, Ballout recently opened the world’s first Asian Middle Eastern all-day bar, Electric Bing Sutt, in Beirut.