Inspired by Princess Diana’s visit to the Fabled Green Mountain and The Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the spectacular 5-star mountain top hotel, is thrilled to announce a royal inspired popup culinary event due to take place at the heart of the resort, at Diana’s Point, where Princess Diana herself once stood and met with the Sultan of Oman in 1986. With its fascinating history and royal links set in place, the hotel has been inspired to partner with royally acclaimed Chef Nikolaos Koulousias, famed for working on the menu for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle. This culinary talent was one of the selected chefs enlisted to prepare the official menu for the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and brings with him a wealth of experience. The thirty-seven-year-old was recently awarded the prestigious title of Ambassador for Greek Gastronomy for his success in spreading Greek food worldwide.
“When I heard that Niko played a major role in the Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan, it was an obvious thought to link this event to Diana’s Point,” said the Hotel’s GM Dagmar Symes. The culinary popup will take place from 6th-8th November at the edge of the mountain top, on Diana’s Point. During the course of the three-day event, guests will enjoy an unforgettable dining experience, including a welcome cocktail with Chef Niko and a meal inspired by dishes selected from the Royal wedding with a blend of local produce. Guests will have the opportunity to dine where Princess Diana once stood and supposedly read her book, whilst Prince Charles painted the magnificent scenery in water color on the mountains’ edge.
Surrounded by spectacular mountain views, Chef Niko’s Royal Affairs Dinner will help revive this iconic and memorable spot with royal flair, taking guests on an unforgettable royal journey through the mountains. “Omani flavors, pomegranates and rosewater blended into the spirit of the Royal Wedding will be the highlight of the event,” remarked Symes.
About Anantara
It is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travelers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences. From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travelers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 35 stunning hotel and properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Portugal, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa and South America. The brand’s premier vacation ownership program, Anantara Vacation Club, extends the opportunity to own a share in the Anantara experience with a portfolio of 8 luxurious Club Resorts as well as travel privileges at partner resorts and hotels worldwide.
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector.
Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC).
She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book.
She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter.
Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler.
It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
