Hany Bourghol

Hany Bourghol, who founded Cortado espresso bar in Beirut’s Gemmayze with Jean Antoun, is the general counsel of the L’Oréal Group for the Middle East and Levant region. He was born in Northern Lebanon where he attended the French Lycée, and later moved to France to pursue a law degree. During this period, his passion for languages encouraged him to stay with host families in the United States, England, Spain and Latin America. He then received a scholarship to Canada, where he completed his LLM studies in Ottawa. His interest in coffee developed during his internship at the United Nations in Thailand – that’s when he started visiting coffee plantations around the world and working on his barista skills. When he’s not at the office or behind his coffee machine, he’s touring the world for fresh ideas or spending time with his family. When asked to describe himself in one word, he says he’s “resilient.”

Q: What do you love most about your work?

A: Being a lawyer and a barista at the same time created the perfect balance in my life. I am lucky to work for one of the best multinationals during the week, while concentrating my weekends for my passion.

Q: Name one person who has left a lasting impact on your life and explain why.

A: I can’t think of just one person. Many people had a big impact in my life, one of which is my mother, who through her behavior at work and in life showed me the fruits of dedication and perseverance. I find myself applying her work ethic at Cortado.

Q: Which was your most memorable trip and why?

A: My trip to Japan with my business partner Jean. It was the basis of a fruitful collaboration between us, and it’s when we decided to open our coffee shop Cortado. This is also the place where we had our first exposure to coffee specialists.

Q: Which is your favorite holiday destination outside Lebanon?

A: Definitely Mexico, where I have had the chance to go on multiple occasions. The spiciness of the country and its extraordinary people make it the best destination.

Q: Which destination would you like to visit and never have before?

A: Colombia and its multiple coffee plantations.

Q: If you could go back in time and change one thing about your life, what would it be?

A: Not to sound cliché, but honestly, I don’t believe I would. Each and every experience I have had so far shaped me and brought me to where I am today.

Q: What’s your favorite dessert?

A: Definitely a chocolate-based dessert, without forgetting the double chocolate cookies prepared daily by my business partner and chef at Cortado.