Greek Products Continue Worldwide Tour

Greek food and beverages are becoming known to the public at large through dozens of programmed events and presentations thanks to a well-financed Greek government campaign called Kerasma.

In November, Kerasma achieved great success in completing an ambitious plan: for an entire month, New York was treated to Greek tastes and Greek food within the context of "A Taste of Greece," a Greek gastronomy festival organized by HEPO in cooperation with the Greek National Tourism Organization in the American metropolis.

From the middle of October to the middle of November, Greek products — with Kerasma as their ambassador — were presented in 25 selected Greek and Mediterranean restaurants in Manhattan, using original and innovative recipes.

The tastes of Greece won over demanding New Yorkers, who had the chance to get to know the Greek diet better with an especially designed passport — a brochure with information about Greek products, Greek gastronomy, as well as the importers and their points of sale.

The opening event of the festival was hosted in the Delegates Dining Room of the U.N. building, where the guests had the opportunity to taste original recipes prepared with genuine Greek products.

The Kerasma initiative is becoming more and more known to the largest markets of the world, contributing to the reinforcement of the brand name recognition of selected exportable foods and beverages. HEPO will continue with even more targeted events, original ideas and suggestions in 2007.

One such event will be held in Canada this year — a "Greek Cooking Week" is being organized in February at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Culinary School, one of the oldest culinary schools in Ontario. As part of the lessons on international cuisine, the students of the school will experiment with quality Greek products and will create new "Greek" recipes. The recipes will be prepared and presented at the school's restaurant, which is open to the public. A seminar will be conducted concurrently about the traditional and modern uses of Greek products, as well as Greek gastronomy. Moreover, selected Greek food and wines will be on display on the school premises and in the restaurant.