IF THERE WAS ever a guy who legitimately didn’t have time for fitness, it’s Charbel Hayek.
He’s the chef of Ladyhawka modern Eastern Mediterranean spot in West Hollywood, plus three other L.A.-area restaurants and one in Miami, and he’s also opening two new eateries in 2026. Yet Hayek, 28, says he’s never gained more than a few pounds since graduating from culinary school in France at 18.
That’s because whatever’s going on in his life, eating well and working out are constants. In fact, on top of hitting the gym two or three days a week, runningand swimminghe’s recently started boxing too.
“Right now, my biggest fitness goal is consistency—showing up every day and making choices that keep me feeling strong and energized,” he says. That also means regularly eating high-protein meals that don’t weigh him down, like this spin on shrimp tacos.
These come together quickly if you make the harissa ahead of time. Which you should totally do—and double the recipe (set half aside) while you’re at it, because that stuff is gooood.
Nutrition per serving: 572 calories, 37 g protein, 34 g carbs (11 g fiber), 34 g fat
Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich. Prop styling by JJ Chan.
Paul Kita is a Deputy Editor at Men’s Healthwhere he has covered food, cooking, nutrition, supplements, grooming, tech, travel, and fatherhood at the brand for more than 15 years. He is also the author of two Men’s Health cookbooks, Guy Gourmet and A Man, A Pan, A Planand the winner of a James Beard Award.
