Few people speak of the Canadian dream, but Emad Yacoub is proof it exists.
When the 19-year-old university-trained accountant moved to Canada from Egypt in 1984, he didn’t speak a word of English. Today, he is President and CEO of Vancouver’s Glowbal Restaurant Group, still overseeing the day-to-day operations of ten successful restaurants – with plans for more and an expansion out East.
Yacoub’s story began with his first Canadian job at Toronto’s Harbour Castle Hilton, responsible for squeezing orange juice. By the age of 28 he was one of the youngest notable chefs in the city, holding the position of chef de cuisine at the highly-esteemed King Edward Hotel. Emad’s culinary mastery, paired with keen business acumen would morph him from Executive Chef to restaurant owner and operator. Toronto’s Solo on Yonge Street and Brownstone Bistro proved to be his first successes as a restaurateur.
The West Coast saw him open his first venture, Glowbal Grill Steaks + Satay, in 2002. He wanted to create a gathering place for friends and family, with worldly cuisine spun from the freshest West Coast ingredients. What he created was a sensation, and the start of one of the biggest success stories in the Vancouver restaurant world.
20 years later, Yacoub still oversees all decisions concerning the restaurants and is involved in daily operations. From design details to staff’s attire, menu creations to music mixes, his bold and often revolutionary approach to business has shaped his success. His unique vision has led to the conceptualization of each of his vastly different eateries, including Glowbal, Coast, Italian Kitchen, Black+Blue (Vancouver and Toronto), The Roof, Trattoria (Burnaby and West Vancouver) Riley’s, and the iconic Five Sails.
Under Yacoub’s direction, the dynamic company has always sought what’s new and next at every turn. Glowbal Restaurant Group has firmly established its spot at the top of Canada’s dining scene.
Learn more about Glowbal Restaurant Group here.
