Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort proudly announces the return of its much-anticipated Olive Harvest Festival, taking place from 24–28 September 2025. Now in its fourth year, the resort will welcome guests for a five-day celebration of the humble fruit on the Green Mountain.
This year’s theme, “From Tree to Table – A Journey Through Olive Heritage”, invites both resort guests and the local community to take part in hands-on harvesting, storytelling, olive oil tasting, and an array of gastronomic experiences featuring award-winning guest chefs.
This year’s edition welcomes two celebrated culinary figures to the resort’s kitchens. Chef Ovidiu-Gabriel Mușat, Executive Chef at Tivoli Portopiccolo Sistiana Wellness Resort & Spa in Italy, and Spanish Chef Martin Aristondo, visiting from NH Collection San Sebastian Aranzazu in his native town who channels the character of the Basque country, with each hosting special dinners and cooking classes.
The festival opens on Wednesday, 24 September, with a Welcome Ceremony on the Al Shurfa terrace, offering mountain-inspired drinks infused with local olives, herbs, and citrus. The evening continues with an Italian and Spanish buffet at Al Maisan, led by esteemed chefs Ovidiu-Gabriel Mușat and Martin Aristondo.
Highlights of the festival include “Olive Tales at Breakfast”, daily morning sessions with olive historian Mr. Giorgio Robles, olive harvest competitions, and insightful Olive Heritage Tours led by Dr. Ali Al Furqani, including tastings and a visit to the nearby local olive oil press factory, witnessing the meticulous process from pressing to packaging.
On Thursday, guests can enjoy an Italian cooking class with Chef Mușat and an outdoor Spanish garden dinner curated by Chef Aristondo at Al Qalaa. Friday brings a Spanish tapas class, followed by a Canyon View Dinner at Bella Vista featuring a three-course Italian menu. The highlight of the weekend, the ‘Olive Market Day’ on Saturday, transforms Bella Vista Terrace into a lively gathering of artisanal stalls, pop-up classes and tastings.
The festival concludes on Sunday, 28 September, with a Spanish and Italian breakfast at Al Maisan, featuring regional favourites such as tortillas, focaccia, and premium olive oil tastings.
“The Olive Harvest Festival is a tribute to the fertile land we have in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, but also the people and traditions that shape this region,” says General Manager Maren Kuehl, adding, “We are proud to host an event that connects guests to the richness of local culture and the universal joy of sharing a meal crafted with care, featuring hand-harvested olives and seasonal produce, sustainably sourced from our expansive resort gardens, which flourish throughout the year.”
Perched 2,000 meters above sea level, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is one of the world’s most elevated luxury retreats. Surrounded by rugged canyon views and terraced orchards, the resort is a sanctuary of contemporary Omani design underscored by Anantara’s signature hospitality. The Olive Harvest Festival continues to enrich this legacy, offering guests a rare opportunity to savor nature’s bounty in its most refined form.
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