We recently had the chance to connect with Lucien Chalfoun and have shared our conversation below.
Lucien, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day begins with checking emails and reservations ,sharing key updates with the kitchen and front-of-house team making sure everything runs smoothly. By evening, I’m on the floor—greeting guests, making sure service flows seamlessly, and ensuring the atmosphere embodies the Red Thread experience.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“With over two decades in the beverage industry, my career has taken me around the world, exposing me to diverse cultures, cuisines, and flavor profiles that continue to inspire my work today. Before my current role, I collaborated with a talented team of bartenders to create the cocktail menu at one of St. Petersburg’s hottest spots, Saigon Blonde, featuring a unique hemp-infused menu. After seven years there, I stepped into the role of manager for Red Thread, a distinctive concept from the same ownership group. Red Thread draws its inspiration from the ancient Spice Road—our creative beverage menu features cocktails infused with spices and ingredients from across that historic route, paired with a food menu that reflects the same rich fusion of flavors and cultures.”
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
“Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious kid in my family Lebanese kitchen, trying to deconstruct every spice and flavor our rich cuisine ,I chased experiences, not titles, driven more by the thrill of discovery than by fitting into anyone’s idea of success.”
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Multiple times…especially when building new projects. The world has a way of testing your persistence to see if you have the dedication and belief to stand by your vision. Those moments are challenging, but they also sharpen your focus and remind you why you started.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is that if you work hard for the first six months, you can just sit back and enjoy the success. The reality is, in this industry, it’s a continuous process—you have to keep showing up, adapting, and putting in the effort every single day.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story is that, through my career, I made small but meaningful changes in people’s lives—that I used my work to contribute to happy memories in the lives of strangers I may have only met once.
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