EXCLUSIVE: A Look Back at 12 Years of The Smokery Katameya

When Karim Henein and Angela Henein opened The Smokery in Katameya Heights in 2012, they couldn’t have foreseen the journey their then-small venture would embark upon. Originally intended as a boutique shop for their renowned smoked salmon, The Smokery has since transformed into a significant player in Egypt’s culinary scene over the past 12 years. Now, the Heneins have introduced a new and revamped experience for their debut branch with a brand-new menu.

The Smokery was born out of the Heneins' long-standing expertise in smoked salmon, a craft they pioneered in the Middle East and Africa since 1986. Founder and Chairman of The Smokery Group Karim Henein shares with SceneEats, "when we first opened The Smokery, it was right after the revolution, and our primary focus was on selling our smoked salmon products. Angela actually thought the idea was crazy, but when she would meet her friends, she would always invite them to sample our products and sit but we had no furniture."

The Smokery eventually evolved as the community’s appetite grew. Angela Henein, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, shares, "I still remember bringing the furniture from our garden at home for our clients to sit and enjoy the view. The Smokery eventually became a hang-out place for everyone in the compound, gradually turning it into a restaurant. I would have never imagined it to be what it is today!"

Over the years, The Smokery has continually refined its offerings, driven by a desire to enhance the guest experience. Karim Henein reflects, "Since the very beginning, we always strived to provide the best experience for our guests." This commitment led to a series of gradual improvements, paving the way for expansion and evolution. The opening of branches in El Gouna, the North Coast’s Marassi, and beyond, marked major milestones in The Smokery’s growth, propelled further by the involvement of Karim and Angela’s children, Alexandra Henein, Fred Henein, and Joseph Henein.

The recent decision to revamp The Smokery Katameya Heights was a strategic move to celebrate its 12th anniversary and adapt to the changing food and beverage landscape in Egypt. Karim Henein explains, "we thought being around for more than 10 years was an important milestone and we needed a bigger kitchen initially. With the growth of the F&B industry in Egypt, we believed it essential to stay true to who we are but with a fresh, new look."

The transformation was driven partly by a desire to cater to a younger, more dynamic audience. Alexandra Henein, Chief Marketing Officer, shares, "we saw how the industry evolved and wanted to adapt it a little bit to create a younger, more vibrant atmosphere with an appealing bar, music, and interior that was fresh and not pretentious." This shift was also motivated by the need for a functional indoor space, as the original setup lacked noise and weather protection.

In renovating The Smokery, the Henein family aimed to balance modernisation with preservation. Fred Henein, Managing Director, explains, "it was much harder to do than to build a new restaurant from scratch because you don’t want to shock people too much and have the place lose its identity." The redesign focused on optimising the space while retaining the warmth and charm that had become synonymous with The Smokery.

The new menu, crafted in collaboration with Chef Erwan Laurenceau, introduces an exciting array of smoked items and French-inspired dishes using undervalued local ingredients. Fred Henein adds, "we worked closely with Chef Erwan to introduce a new range of smoked items such as smoked duck and smoked marinations. We also added some items that use undervalued local ingredients, skillfully blending it with French techniques to adapt them to the Egyptian palate." The menu upgrade includes beloved classics and new offerings designed to enhance the dining experience and align with contemporary trends.

Joseph Henein, Head of Financial Strategy & Development, shares with SceneEats, "We’re absolutely thrilled with how the renovation turned out. The new design perfectly complements the warmth and elegance we aim to serve, not just on the plate but the entire dining experience." The revamped space is designed to reflect The Smokery's commitment to quality and innovation, elevating the restaurant's ambience to match its culinary excellence.

As The Smokery celebrates its 12th anniversary, with a dedicated team of over 350 employees and nine venues across Egypt, The Smokery is poised for further growth, including international expansion with a planned venture in Oman.

In founder Angela Henein’s words, "it feels great to have reached where we are with The Smokery after 12 years of real passion, lots of devotion, and hard work. What feels greater is to see each one of [our children] wanting to take what we started to another level." This ongoing commitment ensures that The Smokery will continue to be a cornerstone of Egypt’s dining scene for years to come.