Meet Chef Marios Papadopoulos | Greek & Mediterranean Cuisine at Mastika

At Fort Arabesque Resort, Spa & Villas, great food starts with authentic ingredients and the people who prepare them. Today, in our Fort People series, we are delighted to introduce Chef Marios Papadopoulos. Bringing the fresh flavors of Greece, generous splashes of extra virgin olive oil, and decades of international experience, Chef Marios leads the kitchen at Mastika, our beachfront Greek and seafood restaurant in Makadi Bay, Hurghada.

Born and raised in Athens, Chef Marios discovered his culinary calling in an unexpected place: cooking during his military service in 1998. Since then, his career has taken him through top luxury hotels across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, before bringing his passion for wholesome Mediterranean dining to our Red Sea shores.

• Role: Greek & Mediterranean Cuisine Specialist
• Restaurant: Mastika at Fort Arabesque
• Hometown: Athens, Greece
• Culinary Journey Began: 1998 (Greek Army service)
• International Experience: Greece, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hurghada, Jeddah, Doha, Amman, Vietnam, Cairo.
• Signature Dish: Traditional Slow-Cooked Lamb Kleftiko
• Kitchen Philosophy: "The mood of the chefs reflects directly on the taste of the food."

Chef Marios’s journey into the culinary world started in 1998 while serving his mandatory military service in Greece. Assigned to kitchen duty, he quickly realized that cooking was much more than a daily task—it was a true calling.

After completing his service, Chef Marios built an impressive international career spanning over two decades. His path took him across Athens, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Doha, Amman, Vietnam, and Cairo.

Working alongside diverse teams across different continents taught him how food connects people regardless of language. Today, he brings that deep worldly perspective back to his roots: honest, authentic Mediterranean cooking right on the beach at Fort Arabesque.

To Chef Marios, Mediterranean cooking is celebrated for its healthfulness and simplicity. It relies on fresh ingredients, vibrant herbs, and quality olive oil rather than heavy sauces.

Chef Marios focuses on clean eating. Generous amounts of rich olive oil, fresh lemon, oregano, garlic, and fresh sea catches form the foundation of his menu, letting the natural ingredients shine through.

If you order one dish at Mastika, make it the Lamb Kleftiko. Cooked slowly until tender, this rustic Greek classic is seasoned with fragrant herbs, garlic, and vegetables. It is so flavorful and delicate that even guests who rarely eat lamb praise it.

Chef Marios strongly believes that great meals require a happy brigade. He focuses on keeping kitchen morale high, knowing that when cooks enjoy their work, guests feel that warmth in every plate served.

"When everyone in the kitchen is in a good mood and morale is high, you can taste it in the food. The mood of the chefs reflects directly on the plate. My goal isn't just to serve dinner—it's to make every first-time guest a lifelong repeater." Chef Marios Papadopoulos

Finding real Greek and Mediterranean flavors right at the water's edge is easy at Fort Arabesque. At Mastika, you can enjoy traditional cooking in an easygoing, open-air seaside setting.

Enjoy dinner right by the shore, listening to the gentle sound of the Red Sea while cool evening breezes keep the setting relaxed and comfortable.

From grilled seafood and mezze plates to slow-simmered lamb, every recipe reflects the relaxed warmth of an authentic Greek island taverna.

Take your time over dinner with family or friends. At Mastika, unhurried service and good food come together to make every evening memorable.