Food is an international language and it travels.
It evolves through the centuries and is influenced by customs, cultures and traditions. No matter how far apart countries are distance wise from each other, they have one thing in common. They all share the same love and passion for food with many similarities.
Melitzanosalata in Greek or baba ganoush in Syrian (also known as aubergine salad). Ukrainian Varenyky with potatoe filling or varenika (known in Greece as ravioli with cheese from Pontos).
Bolani potatoe stuffed bread from Afghanistan and Shaitia from Laconia (Mani-Greece), that is vegetable pies with fennel and leek, and chicken DG from Cameron or the closest to the greek version (κοκκινιστικο κοτόπουλο) unfortunately without the plant at least not just yet.
These are some of the recipes chefs from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Cameroon cooked together with chefs from four restaurants in Athens to celebrate the fifth year of Cooking #WithRefugees Festival in the city of Athens .
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, on June 20, these Greek and refugee chefs teamed up in four restaurants to serve favorite dishes inspired by their love and passion for food, for a special Festival organized by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners.
Tune in on Sunday 25 June 2023 at 11am in this week’s Infinitely Curious Program of ERT and the Voice of Greece to listen to how Roya Saifa from Afghanistan and greek chefs Hlektra Rigou and Eleni Saranti unite their love for food and combine flavors from Roya’s home country with the Greek cuisine of Lost Athens. At Stoa Kerameikos restaurant learn how Greek chef Gogo Delogianni and Syrian chef Adel Boshi tastefully marry two civilizations that have so much in common. Find out how Mariia Borysenko’s traditional Ukrainian Varenyky and her favorite Kiev Cake blend with the flavors of chef Kostas Lykouras at Sxedia restaurant and how at the new generation fast food restaurant Lotza tis geitonias in Exarcheia, Diane Priscille Ndzouatchoua from Cameroon is testing the recipe of her renowned Poulet DG together with a mix of heartwarming flavors from Greek chef Agapi Miheli.
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution and in this case four of these people have managed to stay in Greece and thrive. Learn from UNHCR member of Communications Unit Eva Savvopoulou how this turned out to be such a fruitful and creative synergy.