Yasmina and Elissa Yared may appear to you as average next-door sisters. Girls that you would love to meet and hang out with.But they are much more than that. The two sisters had traveled a whole month to Peru to teach orphans English language and when they returned from their volunteering trip, they came up with the idea of bringing the Peruvian culture to Lebanon and introduce it to the Lebanese people. So, they proceeded in opening Cinco (which means five in Spanish), and dubbed their spirit Pisco Cinco (drink) because it is made out of five different grapes. And today they expanded their idea to open a new Peruvian restaurant SAPA where they are providing a full Peruvian experience.
1- What does SAPA stand for?
SAPA was the emperor of the Incas. Besides, SAPA means "the only one".
2- How hard was it to start SAPA project? Did you face the same obstacles as with Cinco?
The biggest challenge with the establishment of Cinco was raising awareness about the Peruvian gastronomy and the Peruvian Pisco in Lebanon, as it was the first concept of its kind.
As for SAPA, the biggest challenge was to open in this iconic location of over 18 years, previously known as Zinc, by innovating the set-up and introducing a new concept while keep the authenticity of the old house.
3- What's the difference between Cinco and SAPA concepts?
Cinco and Sapa are sister companies. The two concepts are the first and only Peruvian concepts in Lebanon.
Cinco is a Peruvian restaurant and cocktail bar. Cinco opens daily starting 11am.
SAPA is a Peruvian restaurant and cocktail bar-lounge. Sapa opens daily starting 7pm.
SAPA distinguishes itself from Cinco through daily live entertainment, i.e. resident DJs and exclusive live bands.
4- How did you manage to lead such big projects at such a young age?
We believe that one can lead a project he/she truly believes in regardless of his/her age as long as he/she is determined and passionate to manage it. My sister and I fell in love with the Peruvian culture during our volunteering trip in Cusco, Peru in March 2013 and decided to quit our jobs in order to open Peruvian concepts in Lebanon.
5- If you go back to years before did you have such Life plans when you were younger?
Since our young age, my sister and I always dreamt of working together and specially of starting up a business together. Yet, we didn't know that we are going to enter the hospitality business and that we are going to startup our own businesses in our 20s.
6- What are the specialties and signature dishes served at SAPA? (Your personal recommendations)
We will have to recommend specialties in each of the food and beverage sections.
In the food section, we recommend our favorite Peruvian dishes: quinoa burrata salad, ceviche bites served in mussels and Peruvian Lomo saltado.
In the cocktail section, we recommend of course the Pisco cocktails. We recommend specifically our two favorite Pisco cocktails: Pisco De Uva, Pisco mixed with white wine and grapes (perfect mix since all ingredients are made out of grapes), and Pisco Smash, Pisco mixed with bourbon whiskey and mint (perfect balance)
NB: Pisco is a type of brandy made out of grapes. In 2013, we imported the Peruvian Pisco for the first time to Lebano. We also produce in Peru our exclusive brand of Pisco, Pisco Cinco. We serve Pisco Cinco is Cinco and Sapa. With 42.5% alcohol, Pisco Cinco has a high alcohol percentage yet is very versatile. One can consume the Pisco sec, but this choice is for the connoisseurs, or in cocktails mixing the brandy with any flavor he/she likes.
7- What kind of entertainment does SAPA provide?
Daily live entertainment, exclusive live bands on Wednesdays and Sundays and resident DJs daily
8- Are you thinking of adding branches to both venues SAPA and Cinco?
We plan to open a second branch for Cinco in Beirut (after the summer 2016 in Printania Garden, Broumana). As for SAPA, we have opportunities outside Lebanon that we are still evaluating.
9- What can young entrepreneurs learn from your personal experience?
From personal experience, we would like to recommend young entrepreneurs:
1- Be passionate about your project
The entrepreneurship life is full of ups and downs. One should be willing to devote all his/her time for his/her project and most importantly one should be prepared to face the challenges and failures.
When we first decided to open a Peruvian concept in Lebanon, no one was supporting the idea. It is with passion and determination that we succeeded opening Cinco then Sapa.
2- Choose the right team
Although they strongly believe in their idea, many of our friends don't want to enter the entrepreneurship life, as they believe they still have to learn more before doing so. One never stops learning and most importantly one never gets to a point where he/she knows everything. One doesn't have to know all the sides of the business to be able to launch his/her start up. One should know exactly what he wants and has to recruit the right team. Without the right team, it is almost impossible to manage successfully a business.
10- Do you have projects in mind other than Cinco and SAPA set to be launched in the upcoming years?
We are constantly seeking new opportunities. In general, we would love to introduce more new concepts to the Lebanese market.
