Epirus is a historical and geographical region in North Western Greece. A spectacular European secret of natural beauty, storied history and stoic people. Follow me as I venture through this land that has, for so long, been mostly hidden from the rest of the world. This is my love letter to a region that has stolen my heart, a document of its people and their passions, their pride in the community, and their hopes for the fu ...
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Epirus has its own foraging culture but it isn't easy to access. Join us in the latest episode of Epirus Falls to learn more about this somewhat hidden community and find out why the climate in the region is perfect for mushroom cultivation and maybe, if you are lucky, discovering the odd truffle…the size of a grapefruit.
There are currently two organic farms in Zagori. One of those farms is owned by our friends Vaso and Kostas in the village of Tristeno and the other is run by siblings Panaiotis and Fotini Georgiou in Baldouma. In this episode of Epirus Falls, we spend the morning with Georgiou family, to learn more about the farming industry in Epirus and their ideas to encourage people back to the land.
Last year, I spoke with chef Thanasis Tassos about his restaurant Thamon in Ioannina. He suggested we took a trip to the town of Konitsa near the Albanian border, where his family run an environmental park, hotel and restaurant. When we arrived, we were shown around by his uncle Giorgos Tassos. Giorgos has dedicated his life to the unique flora and fauna of the area and brings new people to the region to explore its rich biodiversity. In this new episode of Epirus Falls, Giorgos talks to us about the history of the region, his love of wildlife and his hopes for a bloom in tourism once the new section of motorway linking Italy with Greece through the Balkans is finally completed.
Welcome back to Epirus Falls, a podcast series all about my love of North Western Greece and its people. In todays episode, we’re going to the very special village of Zitsa, a village that’s as well known for it’s wine, which it now exports around the world, as it it a unique love story. This love story took place at the ‘Bakery of the Village’, a place I first discovered in the spring when owner Kostas Karamichos and his wife Anna Ellis made me the most delicious lunch, made of fresh bread, wild garlic and home-grown tomatoes. Over the past few months, I’ve dreamt about returning to this bakery and was thrilled when they agreed to be part of this new series. So let’s go baking, in a brand new episode of Epirus Falls.
Food culture plays a pivotal role in defining a regions identity and someone at the forefront of that scene is Thanasis Tassos, head chef at the newly opened restaurant Thamon in Ioannina. His approach is redefining the way we view the region, but can Epirus handle this change? Welcome to 'The Chef', a brand new episode of Epirus Falls.