In the framework of the European project entitled “Actions for Awareness and Promotion of Sustainable Rice Production in Greece and Spain”, a training seminar was organized at the IEK Giannitsa for the potential audience of the next generation of cooks and pastry chefs.
The project, under the distinctive title EU RICE, is implemented by the Agricultural Partnership of Thessaloniki (EASTH) and the Consejo Regulador de la DOP Arroz de Valencia (PDO Rice Regulatory Authority of Valencia). The event presented to the students the contribution of rice cultivation to the conservation of wetlands, the use of abundant water resources, the maintenance of soil sustainability and, in general, to the ecological balance, but also to the socio-economic development of the areas of cultivation and production. The students were also informed about rice produced in Europe, a product of high nutritional value, rich in nutrients and safe, since it is grown in compliance with the strict European regulations on agricultural production.
At IEK GIANNITSON, Chef Instructor Konstantinos Ioakimidis and Pastry Chefs Maria Ioannidou and Konstantinos Karagounis prepared with their students, a traditional Pontian and two other original and very inspiring recipes, using the medium grain Greek rice:
Tanaki sorva
Rice croquettes with tomato jam
Sweet sussi
The result delighted all the students, and during the process, the opportunity was given to present and discuss the excellent taste and behaviour of Greek European semolina rice in cooking, as well as the value of creating and developing the tradition.
The reception of the school managements in general, the cooperation, the interest of the teachers and especially the participation of the students is great, indicative of the high level of studies of the schools, while confirming the value of the information provided by the EURICE programme to specialised and targeted audiences.
The executing agency of the programme is Novacert, the largest consultancy company specialising in the agri-environmental and food sector, which has entrusted Chef Stories with the organisation of the events in Greece.