Greek Cuisine Woos London Foodies at National Geographic Traveller Food Fest

Thessaloniki Tourism Organization cooking event headed by Greek chef Giorgos Palisidis.

London foodies had the chance to indulge in Greek foods, learn about Greek cuisine, and sample fine Greek wines during the two-day National Geographic Traveller Food Festival last week.

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) participated in this year’s gastronomy event with two expo booths where more than 6,000 Londoners were introduced to Greek cuisine from the mainland and the islands.

UK's Masterchef 2019 winner, chef Irini Tzorgzoglou; the head of the GNTO UK-Ireland office, Eleni Skarveli; Greek chef Giorgos Palisidis; and Giorgos Nyfoudis of The Life Goddess restaurant.

Greek chef Argiro Barbarigou.

Charis Gerakis, mixologist και Brand Ambassador of Greek spirit METAXA brand..

In addition to tastings, mixologists, chefs, sommeliers as well as Irini Tzortzoglou, UK Masterchef 2019, initiated festival visitors into the secrets of Greek food and drink.

The event, attended by Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki, was organized with the support of the GNTO UK-Ireland office, headed by director Eleni Skarveli, and included 20 masterclasses and 38 cooking and product presentations.

Eleni Skarveli, head of GNTO UK-Ireland office and Sofia Zacharaki, Greek deputy tourism minister.

Participants also had a chance to win a trip for two to Corfu courtesy of Sunvil Holidays as well as free accommodation on Chios island covered by the North Aegean Region.

“The promotion of Greek gastronomy abroad and of culinary tourism in general is a key focus of the GNTO’s strategy for the promotion of Greek tourism. An enhanced tourist experience highlights our unique tourism product as well as the authenticity of our country,” said GNTO Secretary General Dimitris Fragakis.

Greek Deputy Tourism Minister Sofia Zacharaki (second from right) took part in a cooking masterclass held by Aldemar Resorts Group masterclass with (from left) Aldemar’s executive chef Giorgos Chatzopoulos; sales director, Mandy Kalliontzi; CEO, Alexandros Angelopoulos; and chef of Sympossio event, M. Politis.

Masterclasses were offered by Aldemar Hotels Group chefs representing Crete, by islander Argiro Barbarigou representing the North Aegean Region, by Mitsis Hotels Group chefs representing the South Aegean Region, and Thessaloniki cuisine was represented by the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization (TTO), headed by its president, Voula Patoulidou, and Greek chef Giorgos Palisidis.

Greek chef Giorgos Palisidis and Thessaloniki Tourism Organization President Voula Patoulidou.

Also participating in this year’s National Geographic Traveller Food Festival were Greek chefs based in London including Tzortzoglou, named UK Masterchef in 2019, chef  Télémaque Argyriou of Kalimera London, influencer/plant based chef Nikki Webster, as well as London eateries The Life Goddess and Ergon.