SKY-HIGH DINING
Jamaica-born businesswoman spearheads $240 million ‘Dinner in the Sky’ restaurant in Negril
Published:Thursday | January 11, 2024 | 12:10 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Jamaica-born businesswoman, Samantha Ksloir, is spearheading the $240 million ‘Dinner in the Sky’ investment in West End, Negril, Westmoreland, set for completion in August this year.
The innovative sky-dining experience, the first of its kind in Jamaica, will elevate diners 45 metres high by a crane, offering breathtaking views of Negril and the Caribbean Sea during a four-course meal.
Each of the six daily sessions will host 22 people, providing a thrilling and immersive experience, according to Ksloir, the company’s CEO. Ksloir, a St Andrew native who migrated to the United States (US) at the age of 12, currently operates 23 stores in the US.
The company’s chief operation officer (COO), Krystal Ksloir, addressed safety concerns by highlighting the impeccable safety record of the 67 Dinner in the Sky restaurants worldwide, which have been in operation since 2006.
The three-hour dining experience, priced between US$220 and US$310 per person, welcomes children as young as 12 and adults up to 300lb.
Positive experience
The idea to bring Dinner in the Sky to Jamaica originated from the founders’ positive experience with the concept in Europe.
Ksloir expressed: “Jamaica is a premium destination now for tourists, and my heart is here. It was a no-brainer.”
Emphasising safety, customer service, ambiance, and gourmet meals, Krystal Ksloir highlighted additional features like a live DJ and a virtual reality experience.
Located near the Negril Lighthouse, the attraction has received wholehearted support from the Negril Chamber of Commerce, with President Elaine Bradley stating, “Dining in the sky is a good new adventure for people to experience, and I hope they embrace it.”
“Negril, known for its diverse accommodations and eateries, welcomes this unique venture as an exciting addition to its offerings,” added Bradley, describing the West End as the “Jewel in the Crown” in Jamaica.
“We will be having a live DJ 45 metres high while customers are enjoying our meal. We have a virtual reality experience if you’re into the 3D gaming activity. And there is just a wonderful environment and amazing adventurous experience. It is really a different way of dining, an adventurous way,” shared Krystal Ksloir.
Welcomed wholeheartedly
The new Jamaican attraction is approximately half-mile from the popular Rick’s Café going further west and its presence in a town renowned for gaining its fame from the Hippies of the 1960s has been welcomed wholeheartedly.
In fact, Bradley says there is a market for this type of offering.
“As people, we want to always try new things. That’s why we climb mountains, so I believe Dining in the Sky is a good new adventure for people to experience and I hope they embrace it,” she told The Gleaner.
Dinner in the Sky began as a Belgian success story in 2006 by a young marketing entrepreneur David Ghysels and Stefan Kerkhofs. Currently, it operates in more than 67 different countries on five continents, covering Europe, Australia, Japan, Dubai, South Africa, Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Canada, China, Jamaica, and many more.
These restaurants were ranked as being among the top 10 most unusual restaurants in the world by Forbes magazine.
Although the experience will not open officially until August, the operators say they have opened bookings and this has been well received.