A successful event was the organization of the 1st TASTE HALKIDIKI FESTIVAL on Sunday September 5th 2021, in Nea Fokea, in Kassandra Halkidiki. The event is part of a series of events organized by the Halkidiki Chamber, integrated in the local program of the Development Association of Halkidiki LEADERCLLD (ΠΑΑ 2014-2020) and aims to promote the gastronomy of Halkidiki.
In an open space of 800sq. m. on the central square of Nea Fokea tents were installed for the local producers of honey, olives, olive-oil, wines, beer, spirits, oregano from the whole area of Halkidiki, who presented their products to the visitors. In the specially designed cooking area local chefs from well-known restaurants created their special dishes, based on traditional local recipes. The cookings, which were presented by George Palisidis from Geogastronomy, started with a local traditional cook Mrs, Despina Riga who prepared the famous local «sirta» pasta. Dimitris Melissopoulos, the chef from Massalia Restaurant followed with his marinated sword fish in bouillabaisse jelly. Asteris Sousouras from Trizoni cooked Fish with green beans in a special tray from Agio Oros. Christos Agousis from The old Remezzo presented the Easter lamb with risotto and finally, the chef Giorgos Pantazis made Soutzoukakia Smyrneika (meatballs in red sauce) with bulgur as well as a traditional rice pudding topped with honey. The visitors had the chance to try all those delicacies and vote for the best dish. The event was open for everybody.
Millenium College was a sponsor of the event, and its’ students from the Faculties of Culinary Arts and Tourism took an active part in the organization, together with the tireless volunteers from the Community of Nea Fokea.
Hosts of the event were the President of Halkidiki Chamber Mr. Ioannis Koufidis and many members of the Board. Many local personalities honored the event with their presence among them Mrs Kyriaki Malama, Parliament Member, Ioannis Giorgos, Vice-president of the Region of Halkidiki, Grigoris Tasios, President of the Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation and Prsident of the Tourism Organization of Halkidiki, Georgios Passalis, President from the Development Association of Halkidiki, Anastasia Halkia, Mayor of Kassandra and a lot of people.
Prior to the event journalists from Athens, Thessaloniki and Halkidiki had the chance to take part in a fam trip and visit local producers and farms all over Halkidiki and taste local dishes in selected restaurants.
As the President of the Halkidiki Chamber Mr. Ioannis Koufidis pointed out, strategic goal of TASTE HALKIDIKI is, to become a reference for the whole gastronomy of Halkidiki, support the development of touristic and non-touristic areas in relation to gastronomy, expand the touristic season and contribute to the production of food and Ho.Re.Ca. in general.
