We get to know the region’s products through a farmers’ market directly from the producers and discuss interesting topics on olive oil and ouzo production, the solidarity economy, and nutrition in a series of Symposia (discussions around a table with food) led by prominent surprise speakers. Local associations will prepare special treats for all visitors.
11:00-14:00: Farmers’ market without intermediaries
11:00-12:30: SYMPOSIA (open discussions around a full table), ouzo appetizers, and treats from local associations.
19:30 Opening of the festival with “Stories of the Gera Olive Grove”, MODOUSA Facilities, Papados, Gera
The MODOUSA Social Cooperative Enterprise hosts producers from across the island with their products and narrates stories for children and adults, focusing on olive mills, their people, and “liquid gold.” Live cooking, tastings, and cocktails highlight olive oil and ouzo in a contemporary gastronomic festival.
Special guests:
19:30: Booths open
19:30-21:30: Kostas Stoforos (author) – “A Box of Sea” in Gera. Children create their own fairy tale.
19:30-21:00: Live cooking and tastings by surprise guest chefs.
20:00: Bar-mixology opening – Vangelis Gkikas (owner of Barspoon) creates cocktails based on ouzo, olive oil, and unexpected local ingredients.
21:00: Eleanna Chatzaki (storyteller) – “Magical Stories Under the Olive Tree” (for all ages).
22:00: Traditional music group featuring:
Throughout the evening until 21:00, a slideshow and video of MODOUSA’s activities and collaborations will be playing in the venue’s small hall.
19:30, Skala Polichnitos Harbor
At the place where the scent of seafood fills the air and the famous anise grows, the Cultural Association of Polichnitos invites us to cook and taste authentic appetizers that perfectly pair with ouzo. Lesvian chef Haris Katrakazas and former professor Harilaos Theodorellis, along with local professionals, the Bálos Dance Association, the Friends of Music Association of Polichnitos, the Polichnitos Athletic Association, and the Polichnitos Equestrian Club, introduce us to the region’s gastronomy with live cooking, tastings, dancing, and music.
21:00 Ouzo Night with live music and traditional dances, Skala Polichnitos Harbor
A journey from past to present, where tradition meets modern gastronomic evolution with recipes based on local raw materials. Fresh mizithra, classic feta, sometimes sweet and sometimes spicy graviera, and the famous ladotyri cheese will be the stars of this culinary journey.
10:30, Mantamados Dairies
The “Iliaktida” Humanitarian-Nature Association will introduce us to the secrets of cheesemaking and guide us through the “cheese routes,” starting from the modern dairies of Mystakellis, Koutsampasis, Adalis, and the Mantamados Agricultural Cooperative before concluding at the village square.
11:30, Mantamados Square
Children will learn how to make their own cheese and discover how pure raw materials are key to a healthy and balanced diet.
19:30, Mantamados Cultural Center
The evening begins with cheese tasting, theatrical performances with live cheesemaking, and traditional cooking by the “Mantamadiotopoules,” who will share the region’s cheese history. Then, chef Kostis Kostakis will combine traditional Greek phyllo with select cheeses and local Mantamados products.
21:30, Mantamados Square
The night ends with traditional music and ouzo with appetizers in the village square.
10:00, St. Nicholas Church, Petra
Children’s cooking workshops teach young chefs traditional recipes with Lesvian products. They will roll out phyllo and make sweet giouzlemedes with anthotyro cheese to share with attendees.
19:30, Hero’s Square, Petra
A workshop on making spoon sweets from seasonal fruits, just as Petra’s housewives have done for generations. We’ll hear stories about the tradition of spoon sweet offerings in old Petra homes, a custom that remains unchanged over the years. The Petra Cultural Association will create a space reminiscent of another era, including a visit to painter Niki Eleftheriadi’s historic mansion.
Live Cooking with Chef Alexandros Papandreou:
He will reveal the secrets of an old recipe—“Kouktatos” (a traditional seedless halvah)—to end the day on a sweet note.
19:30, Michail Goutos Street, Molyvos
Local recipes transform into street food, and we taste regional products on Molyvos’ main road with music and dancing. A street festival filled with surprises, tastings, workshops, and cooking demonstrations adapted to modern culinary trends.
Local Molyvos housewives will cook traditional sweet and savory dishes for us on the street. Lesvian producers of olive oil, ouzo, honey, cheese, potatoes, and other goods will present and offer tastings.
21:30 Live Aegean Music with “Colors of the Aegean”
Traditional instruments (oud, kanun, etc.) invite us to dance in the streets.
The Eresos Development and Promotion Organization will showcase the traditional preparation of “caramela” and its evolution into modern creative recipes. In collaboration with the Eresians’ Cultural and Beautification Association “Fanias”, the event will also revive the “quadrilles” with dance lessons. The 3rd Lesvos Food Fest will conclude on the sandy beach of Skala Eresou with music and celebrations.
Eresians have always loved entertainment, dance, music, and good food. Like many other Greeks, they traveled or emigrated abroad and, upon returning, brought back new ideas that merged with local traditions, both in gastronomy and festivities. This is how Argentina’s Dulce de Leche became the local “caramela”, made with the region’s exquisite sheep’s milk, and how the quadrilles of Western Europe were embraced in social gatherings as early as the interwar period.
11:00 – Floating Cooking Demonstrations at Papanikolis Square, Skala Eresou
Renowned chef Manolis Papoutsakis presents ways to incorporate caramela into modern cuisine.
18:00 – “Caramela” in Fani’s Courtyard, Skala Eresou
An Eresian homemaker demonstrates the traditional method of preparing caramela.
Follow the designated signs from Papanikolis Square to Fani’s Courtyard.
19:30 – “Quadrilles” at Papanikolis Square, Skala Eresou
The festivities kick off with quadrille dancing to the tunes of a bygone era.
20:30 – Singing Gatherings on the Beach
With ouzo, meze, music, and dance, we’ll wrap up the 3rd Lesvos Food Fest on the shores of Skala Eresou like one big family.
1/7 – 19:30
4 to 7 July at 19:30 at Papanikolis Square, Skala Eresou
2/7 – 19:30 “A Box of Sea” by Kostas Stoforos, Modousa Facilities, Papados
3/7 – 10:00 Children’s Cooking, Lefkonikos Square, Molyvos
4/7 – 11:30 Cheese-making with Kostis Kostakis, Mandamados Square
5/7 – 10:00 Children’s Cooking with Kostis Kostakis, St. Nicholas Church, Petra
6/7 – 11:00 Children’s Cooking with Manolis Papoutsakis, Papanikolis Square, Eresos
Ouzo with meze in taverns and ouzo bars in the areas of Polichnitos and Skala Eresou
Eresian Breakfast with local products and recipes at participating businesses in the area
Nature-Loving and Humanitarian Association of Mantamados "Iliaktida"
Petra Cultural Association
Municipal Units of Mithymna, Petra, Mantamados, Eresos, Polichnitos
© LESVOS FOOD FEST 2025 - All rights reserved | Web design by Edgy Digital Agency
