Pieria Aims to Enhance its Gastronomy Tourism Appeal

Chef Lefteris Lazarou with members of the Pieria Regional Unit and the Pieria Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion (POTAP).

Local authorities of Pieria recently took Greek journalists on a special gastronomic “journey” to introduce the regional unit’s unique cuisine and tourism offerings.

At the “Gastronomy Routes of Pieria” event held in Piraeus, journalists specializing in gastronomy and tourism experienced the destination’s culinary wealth through recipes curated by renowned Greek chef Lefteris Lazarou.

The initiative, launched by the Pieria Regional Unit and the Pieria Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion (POTAP), aimed to establish gastronomy as a key element of the destination’s tourism brand identity.

“We are intensifying our efforts to fully highlight the comparative advantages of our destination, especially now at the peak of the summer tourism season,” said POTAP President Giorgos Karalis.

During the event, Chef Lazarou and his team created dishes that showcased the unique features of Pieria’s dining traditions, using local ingredients. The menu’s highlights included sea bass with smoked eggplant mousse, ravioli filled with Katerini crab, and black pork from Olympus, complemented by Olympus tea and parsley root puree.

According to POTAP, the Greek journalists were particularly impressed by the products of Olympus and Pieria, especially the wines and the unique flavor combinations in the recipes.

Giorgos Karalis, President of POTAP.

“Tasting the dishes of Pieria is a crucial aspect of all Pieria’s tourism offerings,” said Pieria Deputy Regional Governor Sofia Mavridou.

Organized by Open Ways, the gastronomy event was also supported by the Tourism Ministry and the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).

The Pieria Regional Unit has been intensifying efforts to promote the area’s tourism potential. Recently, authorities supported the “Olympus Adrenaline & Nature Festival”, which showcased Pieria’s offerings through various cultural events.