Bio-Kouzina – new standard for catering and organic gastronomy in Greece

Greece is characterized by impressive biodiversity and a multitude of interacting local cuisines. Greek gastronomy is based on the use of native, local and fresh products, and this culinary art derives from the everyday lives of small-scale farmers who are proud of their long healthy lives. These are excellent conditions for certified organic gastronomy. Bio Hellas has, therefore, introduced the private standard Bio-Kouzina. In September 2012, a launch event was held to award certificates to the first food service companies from Crete.

After studying organic standards for catering and gastronomy in several countries, Bio Hellas began implementing their Bio-Kouzina standard in Greek companies in 2012. Agrotourism units, 5 star hotels, various types of restaurant - even restaurants on passenger ships - canteens in schools, theatres, museums, public catering units, etc. had already expressed an interest in implementing the standard.(Picture: Michalis Malandrakis, General manager of the Prima Plora restaurant)

Some of the first dedicated companies in Greece to receive the Bio-Kouzina standard are Mani Sonnenlink, a venue for revival, culture and personal development as well as a agrotourism unit (Gold); the restaurant of the Agreco farm, Villa Kynthia, an agrotourism unit, the hotel restaurant Blue Palace – Blue Door; the restaurant Glossitses; the hotel restaurant Creta Maris - Pithos , the agritourism unit Villa Kerasia, the restaurant Avli – Creative Cuisine; the restaurant Prima-Plora and the St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel’s Kafeneion restaurant. (Picture: Korina Miliaraki, General Manager of Villa Kynthia)
 

On 27 September 2012, at the farm Agreco, a subsidiary company of Grecotel at Adele on Crete, the first event to award the Bio-Kouzina certificates was held. Companies from the region proudly received their awards. The evening began with a greeting by the Head of Regional Development of Bio Hellas, Mr. Sotiris Bampagiouris and the Chief Operating Officer of the host Grecotel, Mr. Dimitris Kalaitzidakis. Then the certificates were presented to representatives of companies certified by the Certification Officer & Private International Standards Body of Bio Hellas, Mrs.Vassiliki Roussi and the President of the Municipal Development Company of Rethymno (K.E.DI.R.) Mrs Pepi Birliraki. The evening ended with music (see picture below) and treats that were prepared by the chef of Agreco and his team.
 

Similar events will follow in other regions in Greece in 2013. In late spring, one will take place in the Peloponnese Region and during summer 2013, others will take place in regions that have operations in Bio-Kouzina’s project, like on the Ionian Islands and the Aegean Islands. 

Visitors and consumers have clearly expressed their satisfaction with this new standard. It chimes with their interest in making ethical choices about food, e.g. product origin, production methods and corporate responsibilities. Another very important factor in the whole concept is the desire of companies to create small, flexible groups of food producers/suppliers with local, sustainable and certified organic food. The Bio-Kouzina project connects food producers to enterprises with a food department, one of the most desirable models of regional development.

Among Bio-Hellas’s activities is also certifying organic vegetable fields in agrotourism units and hotels. The focus lies on the creation of those, since some of the most popular fresh vegetables can be produced there at acceptable cost. They are certified according to the EU regulation for organic food and farming EC No 834/2007. Some of the locations are Villa Kynthia, Costa Navarino, Green Cretan All Inclusive Creta Maris Hotel and St Nicolas Bay Resort & Villas. The general managers of those hotels and agrotourism units gave out questionnaires and saw positive results at the end of the tourist season 2012: many of their guests have stated they will come back. (Picture: Banner advertising certified organic cuisine with the Greek standard of Bio Hellas: Bio-Kouzina) 
 

Bio Hellas was founded in 2001 and was approved as an inspection and certification body for organic products. It is a member of IFOAM and is certified to conduct inspections for BioSuisse, Naturland and Demeter and is recognized by CARTV (Canada) and JAS (Japan). Its activities have been expanded beyond Greece to Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova. Bio Hellas stands for better traceability, more transparency and works to promote consumers’ understanding of the food chain. They also want to spread their principles to visitors that come to the country. A strong emphasis is put on the bond between local rural and metropolitan sectors. Regional, local, fair, certified organic production has much to offer throughout Greece – and may even be a way out of the current economic crisis. (Picture: Sotiris Bampagiouris, Bio Hellas)

Table: Bio-Kouzina standards are available in Gold, Silver and Bronze