Sani Gourmet 2018 * Halkidiki

An extraordinary culinary experience at a spectacular setting

Is there a better way for a hotel lover to start the summer season than spending a weekend at a favourite resort? I was so happy to go back to Sani Resort and extremely excited to do so during the days of Sani Gourmet 2018, this culinary institution that has been organized by the famous resort of Halkidiki for 13 years now and has become a mainstay in the minds and hearts of gastronomy professionals in Greece and abroad

Sani Gourmet 2018

So, this year’s 13^th anniversary of Sani Gourmet was actually also the third year of its Rising Stars theme. In the kitchens of Sani Resort restaurants Water, Fresco, Katsu and Byblos, the rising stars of the international food scene shone bright, presenting their vision and flavours. This year, they drew inspiration from the places where they come from and the places they live in.

Among this year’s chefs were two Michelin star chef Saverio Sbaragli; collaborator and executive chef of Hakkasan Group, American-Korean chef Akira Back; minimalist Dutch chef Remco Kuijpers; Bjorn Swanson, the German who managed to acquire a Michelin star just six months after the launch of his restaurant, Golvet; culinary phenomenon Alan Geaam, the self-taught Lebanese who recently acquired his first Michelin star and now manages four Parisian restaurants; twice Michelin starred Argentinian Paulo Airaudo; French-Japanese fusion artist Ryohei Kawasaki; and Italian Umberto de Martino, who recently received his first Michelin star.

I had the chance to enjoy an awesome six-course dinner created by Saverio Sbaragli (Italian flavors at the most refined versions you can imagine) as well as another amazing dinner made by Remco Kuijpers among whose dishes there was a slowly cooked pigeon that tasted deliciously. Two really divine dining experiences!

As always I enjoyed the kick off Sani Gourmet party. At the marina of Sani Resort, all the participating chefs were creating on the spot mouthwatering finger food which we tasted while listening to a live jazz band. Add tones of rose Perrier Jouet champagne and you get the whole picture! Just as magic as it can get.

Of course, I did all the things I always enjoy at Sani. I spent a lazy afternoon on the sunbeds of the Bousoulas beach, famous for its turquoise water and pine-fringed white sand. I had morning walks at the gardens of the resort, relaxed at The Beach House and started my days with healthy breakfast at Porto Sani where I stayed this time. I had lots of Movenpick ice cream flavours that brought to my mind summer childhood memories. I swam at the heated swimming pool of Sani Dunes during sunset. And the list goes on… I once again left dreaming of my next visit to this vacation heaven!