In a celebration of culture, cuisine, and tourism, Labadi Beach Hotel has launched a signature event themed Mediterranean Night. Marking its 34th year as Ghana’s premier five-star indigenous hotel, Labadi Beach Hotel adds this vibrant midweek experience to its portfolio, an event held by the Atlantic at the Akwaaba Restaurant to redefine gastronomic tourism in Ghana.
According to Mr. David Eduaful, the Managing Director of Labadi Beach Hotel, the concept was born out of the hotel’s unyielding commitment to innovation and consistency in guest experience. “The hospitality industry is dynamic, you need to keep changing, keep doing something different to excite your customers. Mediterranean Night was introduced to provide a fresh culinary experience, tapping into healthy, globally-loved cuisines while staying true to the Labadi Beach excellence,” he shared.
The brain behind this exquisite Wednesday experience is Chef Akwetey Ahingwah, one of Ghana’s most celebrated culinary talents. With over two decades of experience, Chef Akwetey designed the Mediterranean Night to bridge the gap between health and indulgence. “People are now more conscious of what they eat. I created Mediterranean Night as a way to bring healthy eating to the table, midweek, using fresh local produce to prepare authentic international dishes,” he noted.
From Moroccan Chicken Tagine to Italian vegetable medleys, the menu is a rich fusion of dishes inspired by culinary traditions from countries like Morocco, Italy, and Greece, blended with Ghanaian flair and locally-sourced ingredients such as quinoa, avocados, and beetroot. “We are proud to say that everything served here is fresh. We preach healthy food,” opined Mr. David Eduaful.
The Mediterranean Night not only serves as a gastronomic attraction but also complements Ghana’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) sector. As Eduaful aptly puts it, “In every gathering, we end with Item 13”. Food is integral to tourism, and at Labadi Beach Hotel, we offer the best. We host dignitaries, cater for VIP events, and offer a culinary experience that leaves lasting memories.”
Guests who have experienced the maiden edition of the Mediterranean Night echo the same sentiment. Ariel, a wellness coach and special guest at one of the Wednesday editions, described the experience as “amazing.” She praised the hotel for taking such a bold step in promoting what she called “the number one recommended diet in the world,” highlighting its benefits in reducing blood pressure, diabetes, and hormonal imbalances, especially for women over 40. “Mediterranean cuisine is not just food, it’s medicine. It’s a lifestyle. And Labadi Beach Hotel is doing an amazing job by bringing this to Ghana,” she said.
Adding her voice, Wilma Bruce Appenteng, Lead Consultant at IbyService Hospitality Consulting, described the experience as “a lovely evening with mellow but very flavorful food.” She commended the creativity of the concept, noting that “it’s a totally different idea to also give some variety in the city, so yes, it’s great.”
Chef Ines Appenteng from the Ines Experience Culinary, Social and Cultural Kitchen, appreciated the dishes served but suggested more variety in future editions. “The oxtail was really, really good, but I think we can have a bit more, maybe more kinds of rice or just something beyond what we had,” she said, expressing enthusiasm for the event’s potential to grow even richer in its offerings.
From health-conscious diners to international tourists, Mediterranean Night has quickly become a culinary journey. It invites patrons to not only relish diverse and healthy dishes but also to explore the cultural stories behind each plate.
As Chef Akwetey looks to the future, he envisions even greater variety, more authentic Mediterranean dishes, and deeper integration of wellness into the Labadi Beach dining culture. “If you’re a foreigner and you pass through Accra on a Wednesday night, Labadi Beach Hotel is where you want to be. You will find a dish that speaks to your palate and your health.”
In a time where culinary experiences are increasingly influencing travel decisions, Labadi Beach Hotel’s Mediterranean Night stands tall as a vibrant blend of taste, health, and heritage, a true testament to the impact of food in tourism.
