Foodies in the UK Taste Thessaloniki’s Traditional ‘Hortopita’ at NatGeo Festival

(L-R) Chef George Palisidis with TTO President Voula Patoulidou and members of the TTO team at the festival. Photo source: TTO.

Foodies in the UK had the chance to sample Thessaloniki’s traditional “hortopita” (vegetable and herbs pie) at the 2023 National Geographic Traveller Food Festival held recently at London’s Business Design Centre.

During the two day event, visitors to the festival got to know Greece’s culinary capital’s authentic flavors at the joint stand of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization (TTO) and the Thessaloniki Municipality.

Foodies from all over the world discovered Thessaloniki’s culinary “secrets” that were “revealed” by Greek chefs George Palisidis and Aris Tsavos. More specifically, they tasted the city’s famous hortopita cooked by chef Palisidis; and scrambled eggs in simit dough with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs, prepared by chef Tsavos .

Visitors at TTO’s stand also sampleed wine labels chosen by the Winemakers of Northern Greece association and taste the famous bougatsa (breakfast cream pastry) and the koulouri (sesame seed bread ring), gyro, as well as local sausages and appetizers. 

“Our participation in the biggest international food festival has now become a tradition. Every year the ΤΤΟ manages to impress visitors and promote Thessaloniki as the capital of gastronomy,” said the organization’s president, Voula Patoulidou, adding that the traditional hortopita-making event with chef Palisidis was a success.

Thessaloniki’s presence in London is also supported by an ongoing tourism promotion digital campaign running in a central part of London, presenting the city as the ultimate city break destination.

(Photo center) Patoulidou with Thessaloniki’s Mayor Konstantinos Zervas and Deputy Mayor of culture and tourism Maria Karagianni. Photo source: TTO.

The Municipality of Thessaloniki, a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for gastronomy, was represented at the event by the city’s mayor, Konstantinos Zervas, and deputy mayor of culture and tourism, Maria Karagianni.

The National Geographic Traveller Food Festival, organized by the publisher of National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine, acts as an inspiration platform for visitors to plan their next trip and get better acquainted with a local cuisine from around the world.