In town for a new gastronomic forum, chef Rasmus Munk of Alchemist in Denmark explores the restaurant scene of Athens.
Author: Victoria Burrows
Rasmus Munk of Copenhagen’s Alchemist kept the flag flying for the Nordics at last month’s inaugural Athens Gastronomy Forum in Greece. He addressed a packed auditorium at the Technopolis City of Athens, giving insight into the inspirations behind some of the dishes and theatrical experiences at his two-Michelin-starred immersive hotspot.
He also spoke about his projects outside the restaurant, including JunkFood, the non-profit organisation he set up to provide nutritious, high-quality meals to the homeless and vulnerable in Denmark, and his food research centre Spora.
The forum, which took place on February 9 and 10 and which organisers Dimitris Antonopoulos and Ermina Tsouma plan to develop into an annual event, aims to galvanise gastronomic innovation in Greece and act as a hub for exchanging ideas, knowledge and inspiration.
Other top international chefs also took to the stage. Three of Spain’s most revered chefs participated: Albert Adrià, formerly head pastry chef at El Bulli and now head chef at one-Michelin-starred Enigma in Barcelona; Joan Roca from three-Michelin-starred El Cellar de Can Roca in Girona; and Andoni Aduriz from two-starred Mugaritz.
Chefs from other parts of Europe included Zizi Hattab from starred Restaurant Kle in Switzerland, Rene Frank from two-starred Coda in Berlin, Carlo Cracco from Ristorante Cracco in Milan, and Konstantin Filippou of his eponymous two-star in Austria, while Maksut Askar of Michelin-starred Neokal came from Turkey.
Most of the presentations from chefs and restaurateurs were, however, local and included some of the leading lights of Greek gastronomy in Athens and beyond, including Lefteris Lazarou, Ari Vezené, Ettore Botrini, Stavriani Zervakakou, Georgianna Hiliadaki, and Giorgos Papazacharias. The forum brought Munk to Greece for the first time. “I think it’s amazing that Greece is hosting an international forum like this, and it was a good opportunity to connect with the local industry,” he said.
While in the city, along with taking in the spectacular historical sites, he also visited a list of restaurants and bars across the city with his partner, Alchemist restaurant manager Lykke Metzger, and his head of communication Lena Ilkjaer.
“I didn’t know much about the dining scene beforehand, but I’d noticed an increasing number of foodies and industry people travelling to Athens to eat – and now I understand why!” he said.
I didn’t know much about the dining scene beforehand, but I’d noticed an increasing number of foodies and industry people travelling to Athens to eat – and now I understand why!
Rasmus Munk
Chef at "ALCHEMIST" in Copenhagen
Rasmus Munk
Chef at "ALCHEMIST" in Copenhagen
He said they received a particularly warm welcome from Asterios Koustoudis at the Grand Bretagne hotel: “Not only did we have an amazing meze tasting with Greek wines, but he also arranged an over-the-top breakfast featuring so many Greek products and traditional dishes.”
The trio’s culinary explorations took them from small, tucked away tavernas to the city’s hottest restaurants.
“We had a gyros excursion to Achilleas – a tiny, authentic place that excels at doing one thing to perfection. We also had a wonderful lunch at Aswtos, with plenty of bottarga. Pharaoh was another great spot, with wonderful energy and some gorgeous Cretan dishes. Last but not least, we visited Taverna Oikonomou together with the Forum team and the other speakers. It was a truly authentic meal, and such an honour to meet Chef Garoufallia, who has been at the stove there for 34 years – as long as I have been on this earth. Amazing!”
