The aim of the Festival was to acquaint local and foreign visitors with the local delicacy of Sotira, the tasting of alternative courgette recipes by distinguished chefs under the guidance of the inspirer of courgette alternative recipes Andreas Paskouis.
This year's event also marked the radical change and renewal of the Kolokassi Festival, which has been organized by the Onisilos Sotiras Association since 1973. This year's festival marked a turning point for the Festival towards a better event, which focused on promoting the colocasia as an important gastronomic product.
The impeccable organization left the best impressions on the more than 4 thousand visitors of the Festival. More than 200 volunteers supported the whole event and the stands of the Organized Ensembles of Sotira, while Super FM was at the Festival site for a Live Link with radio producers Dimitra Makrygianni and Christina Dimitriou.
In addition to the kiosks that offered traditional recipes, in specially designed kiosks new alternative recipes based on kolokasi were presented with their inspirer and creator the volunteer Andreas Paskouis, which the public could try for free. The recipes presented were Kolokasio Tart with Halloumi Sotirkatiko, Sotiras Salad with zucchini, Stuffed Tortillas with Kolokasi and Avocado, Chocolate Kolokassi Truffles, Lenten Kolokassi and Kolokasi Burger with Solothi and Solothi with Solothi the recipes Kazantipi with Kolokasi and Velute Soup with Kolokasi by the manager of the kitchen of the tavern "Archontiko", Kostakis Konstantinou.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Nikos Kougialis went through the stands and tried the recipes while Andreas Paskouis presented him with pioneering techniques for cutting, storing, cooking and serving the courgette. The Minister of Agriculture stated that the presentations of the stands are something unique for the Cypriot agriculture and cuisine.
Welcoming the 41st Pancyprian Kolokassi Festival, the Minister of Agriculture mentioned, among other things. "Through time and historical tradition we see that undoubtedly the kolokasi is a traditional product of our place since the historical references for its presence in Cyprus date back to the 12th century", underlined the Minister of Agriculture, stating that the "Kolokasi Sotiras" will registered as a PDO.
The excellent adaptation to the soil-climatic conditions of the region, but also the development of specific cultivation techniques by the producers themselves, have made this product special and unique and it is precisely these elements that were emphasized most in the file for registration of the name "Kolokasi Sotiras" as Protected Designation of Origin, said the Minister of Agriculture. Mr. Kougialis said that the protection of the colocasia will give another dimension to the product, highlighting in particular its local and traditional character but also its increased nutritional quality. At the same time, through the registration, the producers will be able to take advantage of specific measures of the Rural Development Program 2014 - 2020, such as the measure for the promotion and advertising of quality products, which provides subsidies of up to 100.000 euros per three years ".
The show was stolen by the on-stage presentation of the exclusive for the Festival "Cocktail Kolokassi" which was presented by the secretary of the Cyprus Association Bartender, Fotini Pisia.
The presentation of the program was undertaken by the Editor-in-Chief of TIME OUT magazine, Silia Ioannidou, while the artistic program was opened by "Mikri Rebetes" with a tribute to the 100 years since the birth of Vassilis Tsitsanis.
Eleni Tsaligopoulou and Bogaz Musique artistically dressed the event in a special music program with the unique interpretation of Eleni Tsaligopoulou.
Apart from the Minister of Agriculture, the Vice President of the CTO, Costas Koumi, the Mayor Sotiras, George Takkas and the President of the Culture Committee of the Municipality, Florentia Savva, addressed a greeting.
Communication Sponsors were Time Out Cyprus magazine and Sotiranews.com
Major Sponsors of the event: Cyprus Tourism Organization, SPA Kokkinochorion and Catering Company "Food2Impress".
Red Fire Cocktail Cocktail
Ingredients:
3 Cl Zivania Red Loel
1 cl Grand Marnier (Kumquat Liqueur)
1 cl Ginger Real Syrup (Ginger Syrup)
1 Cl Elder Flower Syrup Monin (Zambouk Syrup)
10 Cl Beach Juice Keo (Peach Juice)
Decoration:
Colocasia leaves and flowers caramelized by colocasia flavored with vanilla syrup.
More photos and information on the official Facebook page of the Kolokassi Festival by clicking here
SotiraNews