Athens’ Grande Bretagne & King George FNL Awards
In the portrait photography campaign for the Athenian hotels Grande Bretagne & King George photographs presents the awarded crew of the hotels that received four distinctions at this year’s FNL Best Restaurant Awards, recognizing their unique culinary offerings.
The FNL Best Restaurant Awards, now in its 6th edition in 2023, are determined by a committee consisting of FNL experts and distinguished gastronomy critics.
This annual gastronomy event is organized by FNL Guide, also known as The Food & Leisure Guide.
In the pictures with the Acropolis on the background, except the group portrait photo, also is included the awarded Asterios Koustoudis, the Executive Chef of Hotels Grande Bretagne & King George, was presented with the coveted Chef of the Year accolade. This award acknowledges his exceptional talent and significant contribution to Greece’s culinary scene.
Furthermore, Michalis Ladas, the maître of Tudor Hall restaurant, was honored as the Restaurant Manager of the Year. This special award recognizes Ladas for his remarkable contribution to Athens’ catering history and his illustrious 35-year career in renowned establishments.
Additionally, GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Tudor Hall Restaurant garnered FNL stars for their culinary excellence.
Under the guidance of Chef de Cuisine Nikos Liokas, GB Roof Garden Restaurant received one star for its exceptional Modern International Cuisine.
Meanwhile, Tudor Hall Restaurant, led by Chef de Cuisine Nikos Leivadias, maintained its prestigious two stars in the International Fine Dining caAtegory for yet another year.
These honors exemplify the hotels’ dedication to promoting Greek gastronomy to a diverse, international audience and solidify their position as leaders in the catering sector.
Hotel Grande Bretagne & King George are owned by Lampsa Hellenic Hotels S.A, a subsidiary company of the Laskaridis Group.
They are managed by Marriott International, Inc., a global hospitality company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Marriott operates and franchises hotels worldwide, offering the highly acclaimed travel program, Marriott Bonvoy™, boasting 141 million members globally.
Dimitris Papadimitriou
With the title "Cooking is inner prayer", Gastronomos magazine, host the interview of the composer Dimitris Papadimitriou for the August issue. His portrait photography took place at his home accompanied with the great taste of his recipes and an interesting conversation about his music experiences.
Music for cinema, theater and television, symphonic works, pioneering actions and vision. The composer Dimitris Papadimitriou It is still thirsty, after forty years of creation, and quenches the thirst of its recipients. With its prestige and consistent attitude, it brings together artists and people with similar concerns, at the same time giving a step to younger people to show their talents. He is steeped in our popular wealth, he owns its secrets and peculiarities, he knows deeply the ways and places of his libation. His folk songs have his "academic" aura, but they are not ossified, that is why they were sung, loved, they were even danced by the crowd, and most importantly, they stayed!
Quiet strength. It has a "plan", earthly, but also transcendental at the same time. Global, cosmopolitan, that is to say "Greek". He becomes a heretic to forge new paths, he becomes a "wrecker" to flatten swampy stereotypes and build new bridges. He loves cooking and has even received professional offers for his performance. So, my invitation for a culinary interview in a meal at his house. Dimitris Papadimitriou is a hospitable host. The space is similar to his work, flooded with unique art objects, some of which have family roots.
Text by Kostas Balachoutis
Dimitris Papadimitriou has written symphonic works, pieces for solo instruments and combinations of instruments, music for theater and for Greek cinema (Electric Angel, Revenge, Archangel of Passion, The Tree We Hurt, Victory of Samothrace, Lovers in the Time Machine, The Life One and a Half Thousand, The Light Going Out etc.), for Greek television and for television series in Sweden, France, Germany and elsewhere. The general public discovered him because of television.
Known from the beginning of the 1980s until today for his fine compositions, several of which dressed up well-known television hits (such as Anastasia by Giorgos Kordellas in a script by Mirela Papaikonomou, Don't Be Afraid of Fire, Due to Honor, Life which I did not live, Leni and the Witches of Smyrna), Dimitris Papadimitriou has also collaborated with Eleftheria Arvanitaki in a cycle of songs with the general title Songs for the Months, where he set well-known Greek poets to music.
In 2003 he took over as director of the Third Program and in September 2010 general director of Hellenic Radio[5]. Busy but versatile, after his long-term presence in the administration of ERT radio, he founded the Greek Project, a non-profit organization for the promotion of Greek and not only music[6]. In 2006 he gave a concert in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Organization on the occasion of the organization's 60th birthday. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1958.
Georgios Xenos
“We don’t know after all who is really imprisoned. The one outside or the one inside? And what kind of prison is this? Many people out there remain voluntarily incarcerated. So, I would tell you that many times being inside also involves a kind of asceticism. It has a loneliness characterized by greater freedom. So it always depends on the reason for which you are imprisoned”.
Interview to Giannis Padazopoulos
Georgios Xenos was born in Athens in 1953. He studied at the Ecole nationale superieure des Beaux Arts- Section des Arts Plastiques in Paris, during the years 1976 – 1982.
From 1983 to 1986 he lived and worked in Athens. In 1987 he lived and worked in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
From 1988 to 1992 he lived and worked in Berlin, where he experienced the historical events of the Fall of Berlin’s Wall. During this period, he exhibited his work in Winckelmann Museum, Stendal (June – October 1991) and in Pergamon Museum, Berlin (January – November 1992).
Since 1993 he has been living and working in Athens.
Volos Port - Window to the world
"To have a port close to you was like having the whole world close to you", the historian Eric Hobsbawm has written and this, at least in the case of Volos, is completely true. Extroversion, exchange, progress, new products, new techniques and ideas passed through the port gates and spread throughout the city. The agricultural production in the plain of Thessaly, the industrial production initially within the city and later the entry of refugees in 1922, who were employed both in the industries and in the professions of the sea, and the direct connection of the port with the rest of Thessaly and Greece through the railway line they composed a turnover in which the port had a leading role. The port of Volos was even connected to Syria in 1977. The transit line operated until 1985, when it was stopped due to political instability in the Middle East. The deindustrialization that began in the 1970s and the transfer of factory facilities to the industrial area also had its effects on port traffic. Also, for at least 20 years, the railway connection between the port and Volos station has stopped, even though the distance between them does not exceed 300 meters."
"From somewhere here, according to legend, Jason and the Argonauts started their journey to the Black Sea, intending to bring back the golden fleece. Ancient Dimitrias later developed into an important transport center and shipyard, where ships from all over the Mediterranean sailed. In Byzantine and Ottoman times, the port would continue to play an important role, mainly for the export of products from Pelion and the plain of Thessaly. The historical researcher Maria Spanou, who has undertaken on behalf of the Volos Port Authority (OLB) the study of the course of the port over time, has recorded testimonies of European travelers as early as the 16th century. There are references in the archives of Venice and Marseilles, while there is also innumerable information given by consuls and diplomats, and which Mrs. Spanou searched for in the Diplomatic and Historical Archive Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All these sources show the timeless importance of the location of the port and when a city meant a port and vice versa. We know that in the 19th century Volos was connected to many cities abroad, from Constantinople and Smyrna to Marseille and Trieste”
Text by: Lina kapetaniou
For Topoi magazine - Taxidia Kathimerini
Panagiotis Marinis
I am sharing portrait photography of a very close friend and a lovely human being, the greek sculptor Panagiotis Marinis. Panagiotis is an example of folk art sculptor that frees the form of his works through his instinct and his connection with nature.
"Sculpting with tireless but wise drive the silent surface of the stone of Aegina, Panagiotis Marinis has been processing and taming its primary material for many decades, skilfully revealing its organic nature, touching its mysterious interior which, between his hands, explodes and transforms into living flesh..." wrote Iris Kritikou in 2018 with a form the group exhibition "Diachronies", in which samples of his work were presented at the Diachronic Museum of Larissa. It returns to the same museum, from July 17 to October 30, 2023, with the solo exhibition entitled "Stone Tools", with a series of sculptures that interact with selected Neolithic and Bronze Age stone tools from the museum's collection. On this occasion, we spoke with the important artist.
Panagiotis Marinis was born in 1955 in Aegina, where he lives and works until today, remaining a lover of nature and folklore and using stone as the main raw material of his work. His involvement in sculpture began in 1981 with the main stimulus being his works and meetings with Christos Kapralos, as well as the work of Grigoris Maltese. His works can be found in private collections in Greece and abroad, at the entrance of the Aegina Town Hall (work in collaboration with the painter Giorgos Chatzimihalis), as well as in the Cypriot Consulate in New York. He maintains a permanent sculpture exhibition in his Agricultural Garden in Kypseli, Aegina. He has held solo exhibitions in Athens ("The Stone He Knew", Genesis Gallery, Athens 2016 curated by: Iris Kritikou) and in Aegina (Historical and Folklore Museum of Aegina, Markello Tower, Aegina) and has participated in many group exhibitions in Museums, archaeological sites, Foundations and private art spaces in Greece and abroad. His works belong to public and private collections in Greece and abroad.
Stavros Xarchakos concerts 2023
Portrait photography for the greek composer and conductor Stavros Xarchakos. The portrait will accompany the composer's concerts campaign for the summer 2023 in many different places of Greece.
Stavros Xarchakos will share with the audience of Herodium, his musical journeys, accompanied by Maria Farandouri, Yiannis Kotsiras and Iro Saia. One of the leaders of Greek music, inextricably linked to the expression of greek collective adventure from the 1960s until today, Stavros Xarchakos enlists the power of songs, which, as he writes, "show us the way, are allies in fight for a better life and banish fear. Love is revolution, and the eternal Holy Grail for man is Freedom!'
"Songs are allies for a better life, they show us the way and dispel fear. Love is revolution, and the eternal Holy Grail for man is Freedom!" , says the leading composer who has accompanied generations of Greeks with his music from the 60s until today.
Orchestra conducted by Stavros Xarchakos
Performed by Maria Farandouri, Yiannis Kotsiras, Iro Saia.
Athens Epidaurus Festival
Ioanna Tsilili for Oinochoos Magazine
Portrait photoshoot of the wine maker and artist, Ioanna Tsilili for Oinochoos Magazine. Ioanna Tsilili is a chemical Engineer, Winemaker, Master Distiller and cinema addict . Founder of @tsililisterres.
MeToo - Violence Awareness
It is with great pleasure that we announce and invite you to the 1st "Gendered Violence - Violence Against Women" Awareness Exhibition.
Baumstrasse, Servion 8 (2nd Floor) Botanikos, Athens, 104 41
June 10-11, 2023
1.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.
Specifically, the European Network Against Violence (ENV) is organizing a two-day event on June 10-11, 2023, with the aim of raising public awareness about domestic violence against women, sexual violence and the relationship them with our patriarchally structured society. The action is implemented within the framework of the #MeNow_MeToo initiative (www.menowmetoo.gr) in collaboration with the Olympian Sofia Bekatorou.
Through works of art, speeches, theatrical events and workshops, the goal of the E.D.k.B. is to raise concerns and tell stories of women or artists who want to present them through art and visual creation.
More than 20 artists participate in the exhibition with works of art (paintings, photographs, theatrical performances, etc.). In the area of the exhibition, there will also be a bazaar with handmade items of female survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual violence as well as volunteers of the E.D.k.B.
The exhibition will be open to the public 13.30 – 21.30. The entrance is free. On Saturday and Sunday evening there will be events (speeches, theatrical events, discussion).
Artists: Efmorfia Vallas, Dimitris Vlaikos, Stavroula Geriki, Ioanna Georgopoulou, Anastasia Giannoulaki, Kosmas Dalaklis, Electra Etaridou, Angelina Zoumbouli, Tzortzia Kosmatopoulou, Konstantinos Kalfountzos, Dora Kotsi-Felicsi, Mary Kyraki, Emmanuel La pidakis, Aikaterini Mavroudi, Panagiotis Xoulogis, Christina Papatoli, Chrysoula Skepetzi, Vicky Skotida, Maria Tsouknakis, Ariadni Phytopoulou, Georgia Handzi, Alexandra Christakopoulou, the theater group "She and They" (Elene Alifragki, Spyros Anastasinis, Tasos Chalas, Andreas Psyllias)
Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/761715388965422/?ref=newsfeed
See the detailed Program here
The proceeds will be allocated for the purposes of the E.D.k.B. and covering the costs of legal support for abused women and/or children.
TAVERNA for Gastronomos Magazine
In this photo story about Taverna for Gastronomos magazine, I shared my angle of view and my respect to all these people who in daily basis keep alive the living history of the greek culture. In all these little spaces, mostly away from the crowd,
humanity and real contact have the first role. The philoxeny and the devotion of the owners, make these spaces ataxic and creates a space in where different people could connect, share their personalities and create culture.
"We enter the 42 oldest haunts of Athens and the countryside of Attica and talk to the people who for decades have held the reins of famous family shops that have written their own history in Athenian gastronomy.
From “Athinaikon” and “Lelouda” to “Oikonomou” and “Diporto”, the historical Athenian taverns that from being haunts of the popular strata became a favorite culinary destination of all social classes.
We select and collect the famous recipes from the most famous taverns of Athens and the surrounding area and present them in detail, with their secrets and the selected ingredients that established them: the fried meatballs of “Katsogiannos”, the yuvetsi of “Kitsoula”, the kakavia of ” Pezoula”, the rooster with thick macaroni of “Rhamnouda”, the bekri meze of “Vardi”. 40 iconic recipes immortal and timeless over the decades.
We learn the history of the tavern, from ancient Athens to the present day and gather in a glossary the old and new terms associated with the tavern and its culture.
We met people of letters and art in historic taverns and let them explain to us through their own experiences and reflections the meaning and essence of the tavern. Pantelis Voulgaris, “Deipnosophist” Christos Zouraris and Christos Chomenidis discuss and reflect on famous dishes of the Greek tavern and George Pittas gives his valuable advice to young tavern owners, through experience as well as his long-term study of history of the tavern.
How much did the Athenian tavern influence literature and music? Papadiamantis, Polemis, Karyotakis, Tsirkas were inspired by the popular atmosphere of the tavern and transferred it to their works, while theories and existential anxieties unfolded on its tables from the companies of Seferis, Papagiorgis, Papanoutsou. But the tavern also left its indelible mark in the popular song that praised it and captured its atmosphere like no other genre.
The tavern in art: Painters and photographers from Hatzikyriakos-Ghikas and Topazis to Manousakis, Craxton and Zavicianos each captured with their art and their eyes the warmth of the tavern and transferred it entirely to their canvas and film . Along with them is the self-taught popular painter Giorgos Savvakis, who with his blinding colors decorated over 40 taverns in Plaka with his murals, vividly capturing their aesthetics and patrons".
International Womens Day
From the International Womens Day campaign of Grand Bretagne Hotel. "Celebrating our lovely ladies, our heroes, our daily inspiration. Happy #InternationalWomensDay to all the strong, powerful women across the world. Keep shining!"
