What can you tell us about your latest venture, Prana Chilling Space?
Having developed skills in different fields, my partners and I decided to join forces and launch our own business, where we can bring our ideas to life. People gather together at Prana to relax, work, read a book, color a mandala or play a board game while enjoying a selection of organic teas and a carefully curated menu that features kaak, a Lebanese favorite, crepes and more. It is a passion project built on friendship, strong values and inclusivity.
Why did you decide to make gaming part of your concept?
The world of board games has come a long way since the golden days of Monopoly. It’s a trend that’s growing in popularity on a global scale. The added value of board games is that it brings people together and away from their mobile phones and TV screens. Our mantra is to encourage non-tech socializing, which is why we offer a variety of board games, from the fun to the strategic. Furthermore, we encourage creativity through a wide selection of mandalas that our clients can color in. It’s a peaceful, meditative activity that has been proven to reduce stress, inner chaos and negative thoughts.
What is the interplay between F&B and design?
In my early twenties, I worked in the F&B sector for around five years before shifting to a career in design. I realized that the two overlap, as art is fueled by spaces that engender creativity; this is Prana’s core value. I’m constantly leveraging my creative side to boost our F&B concept. Magic happens when you have a good cup of coffee and a calm, inspiring environment in which to work.
About author
Rita Ghantous
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.
