It appears that the very wealthy Sir Richard Branson is opening a “culinary resort” in Somerset County, NJ. Called Natirar, the 492-acre resort includes a cooking school run by Viking, the kitchen appliance company, a wine school, a farm, and a restaurant called Ninety Acres.

It actually used to be the summer home of the king of Morocco! It was built as a private estate in 1912 was bought by the king of Morocco in 1983 to use as a summer home. The Moroccan royal family sold it to Somerset County in 2003.

Since Sir Branson has a relationship with the Moroccan royal family (he owns the Kasbah Tamadot resort in the Atlas Mountains), he was able to call on them to help negotiate the deal for the 99-year lease.

A new building will house the kitchen and connect the restaurant to the main house, where the resort and spa are being built.

David C. Felton, who was the chef at  Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster, N.J., will be the chef at Ninety Acres. It will be open for dinner only, Tuesday through Sunday at first.

Via: NY Times