Thessaloniki’s Local Products Promoted at 12th Int’l Culinary Competition of Southern Europe

TTO President Voula Patoulidou (photo center) during the competition’s award ceremony. Photo source: TTO.

Thessaloniki’s local products were in the spotlight during the recent 12^th International Culinary Competition of Southern Europe with numerous cooking professionals and students choosing them to create winning dishes.

This year the event, which is organized biannually by the Culinary Professionals Greece in collaboration with TIF HELEXPO SA and supported by Worldchefs, saw 400 entries from 15 countries competing in 27 different categories.

The competition, which took place in the context of the Detrop Oenos food and wine exhibition in Thessaloniki, acts as an educational and creative platform to chefs from around the world and an opportunity to promote local gastronomy.

Students from the Culinary Arts Institute at the Varna University of Management during the competition. Photo source: Culinary Arts Europe.

“The awards won by the Culinary Professionals Greece and the promotion of local products strengthen Thessaloniki’s place in the global culinary scene, the only Greek city part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities of Gastronomy network,” said Thessaloniki Tourism Organization President Voula Patoulidou during the competition’s awards ceremony.

The 12th International Culinary Competition of Southern Europe saw certified and award-winning chefs serving as its judging panel and awards given in student, professional and team categories preparing vegetarian, meat, sustainable seafood, pastry and traditional Greek dishes, among others.

Thessaloniki’s Culture and Tourism Deputy Mayor Maria Karagianni (photo right) during the event’s awards ceremony. Photo source: TTO.

According to the event’s organizers, Detrop Oenos guests were impressed by the competition’s high standards and creative results, while a just go zero waste management program was also implemented for the first time at the competition.

“Events like this introduce our city, its gastronomy and unique hospitality to the world,” commented Thessaloniki’s Culture and Tourism Deputy Mayor Maria Karagianni.

The 12th International Culinary Competition of Southern Europe took place with the support of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and the Thessaloniki Municipality.