Corfu Food & Wine Festival: Programme and participants
Corfu Festival
02 May 2019
/ 12:22
CORFU. Corfu Food & Wine Festival is inspired by the themes of exploration and the search for Europe and follows three historical routes.
Taste Corfu and discover yourself! Corfu is the crossroads of the Mediterranean - the port where the cultures of East and West meet. The mirror that reflects the history of Europe.
Corfu Food & Wine Festival is inspired by the themes of exploration and the search for Europe and follows three historical routes.
1. Odysseus - The road of discovery
According to Homer's Odyssey, the naked Odysseus, lost, disoriented and not knowing how he was to get home, was shipwrecked on Corfu, the island of the Phaeacians. He told anyone that asked that his name was Nobody. The islanders, not caring about his external appearance, offered him hospitality as if he were a king. They gave him food and wine, played music and danced, organised games - just for his pleasure. Through this hospitality Odysseus discovered his true self - the king that was hidden within him - and so found his destination. His homeland. Ithaki.
Today, following in the footsteps of that ancient traveller, we invite you to Corfu to drink our wine, taste our food, listen to our music, dance with us and discover the king that is hidden within you. Discover your true self.
"Messina meets Corfu" - MADRE in Messina
Messina and Corfu, both founded at almost the same time in the 8th century BC, were ancient Greek colonial towns connected in mythology. Odysseus related the adventures he had been through to his hosts in Corfu, including his passing between Scylla and Charybdis - exactly where Messina is today.
Another link between Messina and Corfu in European history is the Lepanto naval battle during which the conscripted poet Miguel Cervantes found himself in both places.
Food & beverage manager Fabrizio Scaramuzza - President of Nonsolo Cibus Association, chef Pietro Arena - from Albatros Institute of Tourism, chef Caterina Zanghì - Vice-President of Messina Chefs Club, and pastry chef Letterio Freni will be taking part in the Festival.
Nonsolo Cibus Association was founded in 2004 by the "Superior Catering Technicians for the Development of Local Products and Local Producers" and is active not only in production but also in providing services such as the promotion of local resources and culture and providing information on new needs and dietary advice. The aim of Nonsolo Cibus is to promote Sicily and its traditional quality products to consumers, distributors and catering professionals and to develop profitable relationships with regional tourism, manufacturing and commerce industries. It also aims to support those involved in agriculture - food and wine production - by helping to promote them internationally and opening up new markets.
The Association is also an official member of 'Sicilia km 0' - an initiative of the Sicilian Regional Department of Agricultural and Food Resources - promoting and developing regional agricultural and livestock quality production and providing guarantees and greater transparency for consumers as regards pricing and product information.
Albatros Higher Technical Institute is the only high-level Institute in Sicily specialising in "New technologies for Made in Italy food". As well as providing highly-specialised technicians for companies Albatros also promotes the culture of innovation and supports the introduction of new technology to companies involved in the industry.
Crotone - "Before the Odyssey - Now"
In mythology Corfu and Crotone are twin cities. Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians and renowned for his hospitality and good governance, was the brother of the hero Crotone - the eponymous founder of the town in Calabria in Southern Italy. The two towns have also been linked gastronomically since ancient times when in the Odyssey the island of the Phaeacians was known for its grand banquets and hospitality to strangers.
The symposio organised for Odysseus gives us the first work of written literature in the West and it is there that Odysseus' true identity is discovered. At the same time in Cotrone Pythagoras and his school, founded on the Italian coast of the Ionian Sea, taught the significance of food and connected diet with philosophy. The Nafpaktos naval battle saw the two towns coming up against each other as rival factions and various incidents in the Italian Risorgimento also link the two coastal areas (e.g. the Bandiera brothers who were put up at the "Doctors' House" in Corfu).
The young chef and pastry chef Gaetano Nicoletta from Le Stanze restaurant in Crotone will be at the Corfu Festival. Nicoletta has worked with with some of the best chefs and pastry chefs in Italy (Gianluca Fusto, Luca Montersino, Ernest Knam, Caterina Ceraudo) and took part in the first MedTaste (2017) organised by the Marco Polo System along with the Corfu chef Marina Beska.
2. Capodistrias - Following in the footsteps of the Governor
This year’s festival is dedicated to Ioannis Capodistrias, whose life and work profoundly influenced the history of Europe in the 19th century. He was born in Corfu, studied at Padua in Italy, became a minister of the Russian Government, secured the independence and designed the constitution of Switzerland and finally, as his crowning achievement, became the first Governor of Greece.
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the meeting between Capodistrias and the Greek Commanders (Chieftains) in Corfu in Easter 1819, the Corfu Festival pays tribute to its memory with thematically-based events commemorating the places and times that influenced the philosophy and work of this great European statesman.
To celebrate this exceptional personality, the festival highlights the cultural environment that inspired him. The flavours, dishes, music and ambience of the 19th century were researched by students at the Ionian University - one of the Festival co-organisers - and "Following in the footsteps of the Governor" will be presented in three unique performances under the artistic direction of the Corfu choreographer and director Petros Gallias. Guest chefs and musicians from the Ionian University will be taking part.
3. The Jewish tradition - The route of continuity
Jewish people have lived in Corfu at least since 1160. They came from the Balkan peninsula, from Romaniote communities. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal, some settled in Corfu. During the Venetian period, the Jewish community produced and exported cotton, salt, wine, olive oil, citrus, silk and gold fabric and works of art. They experienced together with the Corfiots all the wars and occupations, they were persecuted during the Second World War, but those who survived returned to live peacefully in Corfu. The famous writer Albert Cohen gave a characteristic (and at the same time remarkable) answer to a question put to him by a French journalist as to which was his homeland: Israel, Greece, France or Switzerland. "Je suis Corfiot" (I am a Corfiot), he said. This echoes the sentiments of Capodistrias, who wrote in a letter 200 years ago that he would not exchange his tomb in Corfu for all the riches in the world.
The Festival pays tribute to Corfu's Jewish history with an enchanting music and poetry evening at the Synagogue where there will be readings from "the most beautiful song in the world" - Asma Asmaton by Solomon - under the artistic direction of Petros Gallias. There will then be a special culinary evening organised by the Corfu Jewish community with music and songs from its local heritage.
The cuisine of the Corfu Jewish community has been influenced by the Italian Puglia traditional cuisine and the award-winning Jewish-Italian chef Massimiliano di Matteo will be demonstrating dishes inspired by Italian and Israeli culture.
CORFU 8 - 12 MAY 2019
Festival Programme
Wednesday 8th
Opening Ceremony
Spianada Square
19:00
Demonstration of Corfu cuisine at a filming location
Danilia
10:00
A demonstration of Corfu cuisine at a location that has been used for film productions. Presentation of Corfu as a filming destination.
By invitation only.
Cooking Workshop
College of Tourism
11:00
Guest chefs create their own dishes and give cooking classes to students and chefs.
Argyrades Village Festival
19:00
A 17th-century traditional village in the south of the island highlights its history through its culinary customs.
"Following in the Governor's Footsteps" - Memories from Europe
Flavours and music from Europe at the time of Capodistrias
Venetian Well Restaurant - Lily Desylla Square (Kremastis Sq.)
21:00
Musicians will play music and chefs will prepare dishes from Europe at the time of Capodistrias. From Koper in Slovenia (his father's home town); Venice and Padua, where he studied 1794-1797; Vienna 1811-1815; Bucharest 1812 and Geneva and Lausanne 1814-1827.
Russia meets Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Russian chef prepares traditional Russian dishes.
Mordovia meets Corfu
Hotel
21:00
A guest chef from the Republic of Mordovia presents the country's modern gourmet cuisine.
European Silk Road - MedTaste: "Madre in Messina"
Hotel
21:00
Four guest chefs from Messina (NonSoloCibus) present an innovative idea based on local products with roots in ancient 'mythical' Sicily and rare recipes, promoting small, sustainable production.
Organised by Marco Polo System - Venice
Paris in Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Jean Marie Hoffmann, chef at the French Embassy in Athens, demonstrates classical French cuisine.
Friday 10th
Cooking Workshop
College of Tourism
11:00
Guest chefs create their own dishes and give cooking classes to students and chefs.
Wine Tasting
Flisvos seaside café restaurant
12:30
Tasting local wine and discussion with the winemakers
By invitation only.
Benitses Village Festival
19:00
A popular destination since the time of the Romans, Benitses reveals why it still has some of the best taverns in Greece.
"Following in the Governor's Footsteps" - Memories from the homeland
Flavours and music from Europe at the time of Capodistrias
Old Palace Gardens
21:00
Against the background of the Capodistrias family home Kinopiastes 'Yitonia' (Neighbourhood) Polyphonic Dance Group will perform authentic traditional songs with tablas that were recovered by Stefanos Poulimenos following years of research. These will be songs from the Corfu villages at the end of the 18th century.
Corfu Chefs Club and the College of Tourism will be preparing dishes from Greek recipes at the time of Capodistrias in the towns he lived in. Ammochostos (his mother's home town); Corfu, 1776-1819; Cephalonia, 1800; Aegina, 1828-1829; Nafplion, 1829-1831.
Russia meets Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Russian chef prepares traditional Russian dishes.
European Silk Road - From Calabria to Corfu
"Corfu and Calabria - In the footsteps of the myth"
Hotel
21:00
Gaetano Nicoletta from the ancient port of Cotrone prepares traditional dishes from Calabria.
Organised by Marco Polo System - Venice
Saturday 11th
Welcome to Corfu - Taste Corfu
Corfu Central Port
11:00
Presentation of Corfu cuisine, local products and traditional music at Corfu Port.
Corfu Chefs Club, College of Tourism and Philharmonic Band.
Kastelani Messi Village Festival
19:00
Shir HaShirim - Asma Asmaton
Synagogue
19:00
Reading of Solomon's poem "the most beautiful song in the world" with two-instrument musical accompaniment at the Jewish Synagogue.
Artistic Director / Reader: Petros Gallias
In the Jewish Neighbourhood
Pergola
21:00
Traditional food and music from the Jewish community.
"Following in the Governor's Footsteps" - Memories from the Tsar
Flavours and music from Russia at the time of Capodistrias
Old Palace Gardens
Memories from the time of the Tsar in St. Petersburg, where Capodistrias was a Minister in the Goverment of Tsar Alexander I from 1808 to 1822. A Russian chef will be preparing dishes of the period and a string orchestra will take us back in time with music from the Peterhof salons.
The Kremlin in Corfu
Hotel
21:00
A Russian chef prepares dishes from Russia of the Tsars.
Israel - Italy - Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Italian-Israeli chef Massimiliano di Matteo explores the relationship between Italy and Corfu and traditional Jewish cuisine.
European Silk Road - From Calabria to Corfu
MedTaste: "Corfu and Calabria - In the footsteps of the myth"
Hotel
21:00
Gaetano Nicoletta from the ancient port of Cotrone prepares traditional dishes from Calabria.
Organised by Marco Polo System - Venice
Sunday 12th
Farewell Homeric Feast
Old Palace Gardens
11:00
- Gastronomic Innovation: Presentation of new ideas with awards.
- Homeric Cuisine: Final day dedicated to the influence of Homeric cuisine.
- Farewell Homeric Feast with dishes from the towns of the two brothers Alcinous and Crotone.
Corfu Food and Wine Festival website.
Corfu Food & Wine Festival is inspired by the themes of exploration and the search for Europe and follows three historical routes.
1. Odysseus - The road of discovery
According to Homer's Odyssey, the naked Odysseus, lost, disoriented and not knowing how he was to get home, was shipwrecked on Corfu, the island of the Phaeacians. He told anyone that asked that his name was Nobody. The islanders, not caring about his external appearance, offered him hospitality as if he were a king. They gave him food and wine, played music and danced, organised games - just for his pleasure. Through this hospitality Odysseus discovered his true self - the king that was hidden within him - and so found his destination. His homeland. Ithaki.
Today, following in the footsteps of that ancient traveller, we invite you to Corfu to drink our wine, taste our food, listen to our music, dance with us and discover the king that is hidden within you. Discover your true self.
"Messina meets Corfu" - MADRE in Messina
Messina and Corfu, both founded at almost the same time in the 8th century BC, were ancient Greek colonial towns connected in mythology. Odysseus related the adventures he had been through to his hosts in Corfu, including his passing between Scylla and Charybdis - exactly where Messina is today.
Another link between Messina and Corfu in European history is the Lepanto naval battle during which the conscripted poet Miguel Cervantes found himself in both places.
Food & beverage manager Fabrizio Scaramuzza - President of Nonsolo Cibus Association, chef Pietro Arena - from Albatros Institute of Tourism, chef Caterina Zanghì - Vice-President of Messina Chefs Club, and pastry chef Letterio Freni will be taking part in the Festival.
Nonsolo Cibus Association was founded in 2004 by the "Superior Catering Technicians for the Development of Local Products and Local Producers" and is active not only in production but also in providing services such as the promotion of local resources and culture and providing information on new needs and dietary advice. The aim of Nonsolo Cibus is to promote Sicily and its traditional quality products to consumers, distributors and catering professionals and to develop profitable relationships with regional tourism, manufacturing and commerce industries. It also aims to support those involved in agriculture - food and wine production - by helping to promote them internationally and opening up new markets.
The Association is also an official member of 'Sicilia km 0' - an initiative of the Sicilian Regional Department of Agricultural and Food Resources - promoting and developing regional agricultural and livestock quality production and providing guarantees and greater transparency for consumers as regards pricing and product information.
Albatros Higher Technical Institute is the only high-level Institute in Sicily specialising in "New technologies for Made in Italy food". As well as providing highly-specialised technicians for companies Albatros also promotes the culture of innovation and supports the introduction of new technology to companies involved in the industry.
Crotone - "Before the Odyssey - Now"
In mythology Corfu and Crotone are twin cities. Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians and renowned for his hospitality and good governance, was the brother of the hero Crotone - the eponymous founder of the town in Calabria in Southern Italy. The two towns have also been linked gastronomically since ancient times when in the Odyssey the island of the Phaeacians was known for its grand banquets and hospitality to strangers.
The symposio organised for Odysseus gives us the first work of written literature in the West and it is there that Odysseus' true identity is discovered. At the same time in Cotrone Pythagoras and his school, founded on the Italian coast of the Ionian Sea, taught the significance of food and connected diet with philosophy. The Nafpaktos naval battle saw the two towns coming up against each other as rival factions and various incidents in the Italian Risorgimento also link the two coastal areas (e.g. the Bandiera brothers who were put up at the "Doctors' House" in Corfu).
The young chef and pastry chef Gaetano Nicoletta from Le Stanze restaurant in Crotone will be at the Corfu Festival. Nicoletta has worked with with some of the best chefs and pastry chefs in Italy (Gianluca Fusto, Luca Montersino, Ernest Knam, Caterina Ceraudo) and took part in the first MedTaste (2017) organised by the Marco Polo System along with the Corfu chef Marina Beska.
2. Capodistrias - Following in the footsteps of the Governor
This year’s festival is dedicated to Ioannis Capodistrias, whose life and work profoundly influenced the history of Europe in the 19th century. He was born in Corfu, studied at Padua in Italy, became a minister of the Russian Government, secured the independence and designed the constitution of Switzerland and finally, as his crowning achievement, became the first Governor of Greece.
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the meeting between Capodistrias and the Greek Commanders (Chieftains) in Corfu in Easter 1819, the Corfu Festival pays tribute to its memory with thematically-based events commemorating the places and times that influenced the philosophy and work of this great European statesman.
To celebrate this exceptional personality, the festival highlights the cultural environment that inspired him. The flavours, dishes, music and ambience of the 19th century were researched by students at the Ionian University - one of the Festival co-organisers - and "Following in the footsteps of the Governor" will be presented in three unique performances under the artistic direction of the Corfu choreographer and director Petros Gallias. Guest chefs and musicians from the Ionian University will be taking part.
3. The Jewish tradition - The route of continuity
Jewish people have lived in Corfu at least since 1160. They came from the Balkan peninsula, from Romaniote communities. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal, some settled in Corfu. During the Venetian period, the Jewish community produced and exported cotton, salt, wine, olive oil, citrus, silk and gold fabric and works of art. They experienced together with the Corfiots all the wars and occupations, they were persecuted during the Second World War, but those who survived returned to live peacefully in Corfu. The famous writer Albert Cohen gave a characteristic (and at the same time remarkable) answer to a question put to him by a French journalist as to which was his homeland: Israel, Greece, France or Switzerland. "Je suis Corfiot" (I am a Corfiot), he said. This echoes the sentiments of Capodistrias, who wrote in a letter 200 years ago that he would not exchange his tomb in Corfu for all the riches in the world.
The Festival pays tribute to Corfu's Jewish history with an enchanting music and poetry evening at the Synagogue where there will be readings from "the most beautiful song in the world" - Asma Asmaton by Solomon - under the artistic direction of Petros Gallias. There will then be a special culinary evening organised by the Corfu Jewish community with music and songs from its local heritage.
The cuisine of the Corfu Jewish community has been influenced by the Italian Puglia traditional cuisine and the award-winning Jewish-Italian chef Massimiliano di Matteo will be demonstrating dishes inspired by Italian and Israeli culture.
CORFU 8 - 12 MAY 2019
Festival Programme
Wednesday 8th
Opening Ceremony
Spianada Square
19:00
The Festival commences on Wednesday evening in the central Spianada Square, where the leading chefs of Corfu, the Corfu Chefs Club, in collaboration with the State Vocational Training Institute of Tourism, cook and present to the public traditional Corfiot cuisine: pastitsada, bourdeto, bianco and many other signature dishes from the island, accompanied by local wine and drinks.
At the heart of the site, local producers showcase their products and businesses to visitors.
In a separate area, chefs from Italy, Russia, France and Israel present dishes from their own traditional cuisine which influenced Corfu gastronomy. Music and dance from all the participating countries complement the multicultural flavour of the festival, and of Corfu itself.
Award ceremony for the Gastronomy Traveller of the Year.
Thursday 9thDemonstration of Corfu cuisine at a filming location
Danilia
10:00
A demonstration of Corfu cuisine at a location that has been used for film productions. Presentation of Corfu as a filming destination.
By invitation only.
Cooking Workshop
College of Tourism
11:00
Guest chefs create their own dishes and give cooking classes to students and chefs.
Argyrades Village Festival
19:00
A 17th-century traditional village in the south of the island highlights its history through its culinary customs.
"Following in the Governor's Footsteps" - Memories from Europe
Flavours and music from Europe at the time of Capodistrias
Venetian Well Restaurant - Lily Desylla Square (Kremastis Sq.)
21:00
Musicians will play music and chefs will prepare dishes from Europe at the time of Capodistrias. From Koper in Slovenia (his father's home town); Venice and Padua, where he studied 1794-1797; Vienna 1811-1815; Bucharest 1812 and Geneva and Lausanne 1814-1827.
Russia meets Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Russian chef prepares traditional Russian dishes.
Mordovia meets Corfu
Hotel
21:00
A guest chef from the Republic of Mordovia presents the country's modern gourmet cuisine.
European Silk Road - MedTaste: "Madre in Messina"
Hotel
21:00
Four guest chefs from Messina (NonSoloCibus) present an innovative idea based on local products with roots in ancient 'mythical' Sicily and rare recipes, promoting small, sustainable production.
Organised by Marco Polo System - Venice
Paris in Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Jean Marie Hoffmann, chef at the French Embassy in Athens, demonstrates classical French cuisine.
Friday 10th
Cooking Workshop
College of Tourism
11:00
Guest chefs create their own dishes and give cooking classes to students and chefs.
Wine Tasting
Flisvos seaside café restaurant
12:30
Tasting local wine and discussion with the winemakers
By invitation only.
Benitses Village Festival
19:00
A popular destination since the time of the Romans, Benitses reveals why it still has some of the best taverns in Greece.
"Following in the Governor's Footsteps" - Memories from the homeland
Flavours and music from Europe at the time of Capodistrias
Old Palace Gardens
21:00
Against the background of the Capodistrias family home Kinopiastes 'Yitonia' (Neighbourhood) Polyphonic Dance Group will perform authentic traditional songs with tablas that were recovered by Stefanos Poulimenos following years of research. These will be songs from the Corfu villages at the end of the 18th century.
Corfu Chefs Club and the College of Tourism will be preparing dishes from Greek recipes at the time of Capodistrias in the towns he lived in. Ammochostos (his mother's home town); Corfu, 1776-1819; Cephalonia, 1800; Aegina, 1828-1829; Nafplion, 1829-1831.
Russia meets Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Russian chef prepares traditional Russian dishes.
European Silk Road - From Calabria to Corfu
"Corfu and Calabria - In the footsteps of the myth"
Hotel
21:00
Gaetano Nicoletta from the ancient port of Cotrone prepares traditional dishes from Calabria.
Organised by Marco Polo System - Venice
Saturday 11th
Welcome to Corfu - Taste Corfu
Corfu Central Port
11:00
Presentation of Corfu cuisine, local products and traditional music at Corfu Port.
Corfu Chefs Club, College of Tourism and Philharmonic Band.
Kastelani Messi Village Festival
19:00
Shir HaShirim - Asma Asmaton
Synagogue
19:00
Reading of Solomon's poem "the most beautiful song in the world" with two-instrument musical accompaniment at the Jewish Synagogue.
Artistic Director / Reader: Petros Gallias
In the Jewish Neighbourhood
Pergola
21:00
Traditional food and music from the Jewish community.
"Following in the Governor's Footsteps" - Memories from the Tsar
Flavours and music from Russia at the time of Capodistrias
Old Palace Gardens
Memories from the time of the Tsar in St. Petersburg, where Capodistrias was a Minister in the Goverment of Tsar Alexander I from 1808 to 1822. A Russian chef will be preparing dishes of the period and a string orchestra will take us back in time with music from the Peterhof salons.
The Kremlin in Corfu
Hotel
21:00
A Russian chef prepares dishes from Russia of the Tsars.
Israel - Italy - Corfu
Hotel
21:00
Italian-Israeli chef Massimiliano di Matteo explores the relationship between Italy and Corfu and traditional Jewish cuisine.
European Silk Road - From Calabria to Corfu
MedTaste: "Corfu and Calabria - In the footsteps of the myth"
Hotel
21:00
Gaetano Nicoletta from the ancient port of Cotrone prepares traditional dishes from Calabria.
Organised by Marco Polo System - Venice
Sunday 12th
Farewell Homeric Feast
Old Palace Gardens
11:00
- Gastronomic Innovation: Presentation of new ideas with awards.
- Homeric Cuisine: Final day dedicated to the influence of Homeric cuisine.
- Farewell Homeric Feast with dishes from the towns of the two brothers Alcinous and Crotone.
Corfu Food and Wine Festival website.
