[Nikki Rose]

Greetings,

While some food does grow on trees, it takes a lot of dedication and activism these days to protect our world's cultural-culinary diversity from being paved over by generic tourism and "globalized" cuisine. We're trying hard to keep Crete's cuisine from being paved over by burger joints. Here are some results of our hard labor:


Washington, DC, May 28, 2008. Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries
Eco-Agritourism Network, is a finalist in National Geographic and
Changemakers Geotourism Challenge, “Celebrating Places, Changing
Lives."

The collaborative competition aims to identify innovations in tourism that sustain, enhance and preserve local culture and place. Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries (CCS) is one of 15 finalists out of 323 entries from 83 countries. It is the only finalist from the Mediterranean region. Three award winners will be decided by public votes. Voting ends on June 11, 2008 and winners will be announced on June 17th.

“It’s a privilege to be a finalist among so many outstanding projects around the world,” said Nikki Rose CCS Founder and Director. “Crete’s fascinating history spans over 4,000 years. There is much to discover and protect. People in the CCS network are practicing sustainable organic farming and community-based programs to protect their cultural and natural heritage. They are sharing knowledge about sustainable living and foodways that is beneficial to the global community. It’s up to all of us to invest in their crucial work -- public and private entities, travel agents, the media and travelers.”

More info is on our website.

All the best,
Nikki

[Mapiva]

Nikki,
Loved the website. Perusing the recipies and looking through the pictures makes me so excited to get back to Krete in mid July. My family is in the Ierapetra area which you know is well known for their agriculture. Growing up in the states and getting used to the American way of eating was very difficult for my Mother who was used to Kretan eating (not just greek, but KRETAN food). Thankfully my parents moved back to Krete a few years ago and they couldn't be happier. These are their typical activities, what a life eh?

-harvesting their olives
-overseeing their produce in the greenhouses
-picking fresh grape leaves from their vinyard
-cultivating friendships with beekeepers, cheesemakers, etc.
-making raki
-stopping on the side of the road to steal figs
-walking out to the garden to get whatever herb is needed for that days' dish.
-Mountain Activities like picking horta, wild oregano, thyme, mushrooms
-running up to the mountain after it rains to collect snails
-snorkeling for sea urchin and octopus

I'm sure you can identify with their lifestyle. Every year when I go back I try to collect more culinary knowledge as it pertains to a greek-american like me. I spent all last summer translating herbs and spices from greek to english. This year I'd like to spend some time translating the different kinds of horta and varieties of fish. My Mother tries to be helpful but she simply doesn't know the english words to most. Do you know where I could find a good source of information for this? Perhaps a greek to english culinary book of some sort?