FOOD EXPO Restaurant Awards

In the special event that took place on the morning of the first day of the exhibition, six great chefs and businessmen operating in America and Europe traveled exclusively to Greece to share their experience and knowledge of Greek gastronomy and its position abroad.

The event started with the address of famous chef Giorgos Kalombaris, who lives and works in Australia, and spoke about the important presence of Greek food and beverages at the businesses and restaurants it the continent. The event continued with the live online interviews of some Greek chefs working in Europe’s finest restaurants who distinguished their own favorite Greek products, that they use in their restaurants. In particular, the Chefs that talked were: Asimakis Haniotis: Executive Chef at Pied a Terre of London, Thanos Foskos, Assistant Head Chef at Geranium 3 Michelin Star of Copenhagen and Nicolas Tsiknakos, Chef at Da Mimmo in Brussels.

The event’s presenter, gastronomy journalist and author, Nana Dariotis invited also the well-known Chefs Naiana Kochila and Dina Nicolaou to talk about their own struggle to spread the value of Greek food and drinks in the US and France.

Immediately after, the honored guests of the event one by one talked about their course abroad but also shared their thoughts and experiences about the culinary excellence and quality of the Greek products. Mr. Nick Livanos owner of the Greek restaurant Molyvos in New York, Andreas Mavrommas owner of the Greek restaurant Le Mavrommatis in Paris, Mr. Konstantinos Erinkoglou owner of the Greek restaurant Notos in Brussels, Mr. Yiannis Philippides owner of Yolenis in Rhode Island the US and the owners of the Greek restaurant Evi Evane in Paris Maria Nicolaou and Dina Nicolaou, where the ambassadors of Greek Gastronomy abroad who were honored by FOOD EXPO during this special event. During their speeches they talked about the difficulties they encountered at first, finding Greek food and drinks for their restaurants, the way to their success, while stressing the need for quality products, consistency in production and delivery, good price and proper packaging.

The event was completed with the awards ceremony. The Minister of Rural Development and Food Mr. Stavros Arachovitis awarded Mr. Nikos Livanos, the President of the Exporters’ Association Mr. George Konstantopoulos awarded Andreas Mavromatis, the President of Forum SA, Mr. Nikos Choudalakis awarded Mr. Konstantinos Erinkoglou, the President of Central Market and Fishery Organizations Mrs. Michalis Mytilenakis awarded Mr. Yannis Filippidis, and the Vice-President of Forum SA, Mr. Thanasis Gialouris awarded Maria and Dina Nikolaou.