Pioneering Greek Female Chef opens highly anticipated Iodio in Kolonaki
Chef Georgianna Hiliadaki tells us about winning 2 Michelin stars, tips for aspiring chefs and her new restaurant Iodio.
About you:
What do you do?
I am Georgianna Hiliadaki, I am the only 2 Michelin star female Greek Chef in the world, with Funky Gourmet restaurant, of which I’m really proud! I love cooking and designing menus and memories with my favourite people!
About the Food Scene in Athens
How would you describe your new venture Iodio?
Our vision for a chic cozy space in classic Kolonaki, comes to life on Monday, November 4, with the love for fresh fish, excellent quality ingredients and tasteful seafood dishes driving our dream.
Sum up the Athens culinary scene in 3 words.
Intriguing, hearty and delicious!
What will we always find in your refrigerator or spice rack?
I cannot cook and practically live, if I don’t have butter, lime and oregano!
Where do you shop for food?
I am keen on shopping from the local market near my neighborhood or close to the restaurants.
What is a current favourite Athenian restaurant that you go to regularly?
Iodio for sure! As we are tasting the menu over and over again for the Grand Opening! Zurbaran restaurant & Geco at Gatsby hotel are my two other favourites! In these restaurants, together with the resident Chefs, we have created amazing and delicious menus in wonderful spaces! Other than that, lately I have found a new really cozy little Spritzeria with comfort appetizers and great cocktails, wines and spirits, “Bar Amore” in the centre of Athens.
3 tips or bits of advice for an aspiring chef / restaurateur?
Embrace yourself with lots of persistence, patience and use every little bit of creativity, passion and multitasking. These qualities will come in handy when you aim high!
If money were not a constraint, you would……?
Great question and the answer of course is… I would travel all around the world to taste each & every menu there is in restaurants, pubs, bistrots, everywhere!
About Athens:
Your favourite thing about Athens. And your worst thing about Athens.
Favourite thing: the vivid character of the city as a whole.
Worst thing: the sidewalks or worse the lack of them, that make it difficult to walk in the centre of Athens.
Can you describe a quintessentially Athenian sight, sound and smell?
Sight: Acropolis of course!
Sound: The rumble of the people eating at restaurants!
Smell: The blend of olive oil, lemon and oregano!
What has surprised you about Athens as a city?
That is constantly evolving, especially in the Culinary field, even in the most demanding eras!
What changes (especially in the past ten years) have particularly moved you?
The acquisition of the two Michelin stars has set some really high standards!
The COVID-era of course had a huge impact on everyone and on gastronomy as well!
Your favourite picks:
A perfect evening out would be:
Hanging out with loved ones, eating flavorful food, laughing and having a good time!
Your ideal Sunday afternoon:
Snuggling with my two little besties, my kids! Sundays are a ritual. In the morning, we cook together, breakfast, pancakes, eggs, jam on toast, etc, then we play board-games, do homework and for the evening is a movie-night ritual: homemade ‘junk’ food (so not so junk after all) & a movie!
City’s best kept secret?
A really old bakery in Psyrri, where you can find the ultimate “round sesame Greek bagel” you have ever tasted!
