The 2016 “Chef’s Golden Hat” gala dinner and awards ceremony on 13th February was a star-studded event attended by 280 guests – famous artists, businessmen and politicians, among others. It was a night of excitement and glamour hosted at “Grande Bretagne Hotel” Ballroom, in the centre of Athens.
The award ceremony saw “Funky Gourmet” and “Etrusco” bag top honours as the nation’s only 2 Chef’s Golden Hat-ted restaurants, which managed to share first place once again, this time for 2016! All the other establishments received 1 Chef’s Golden Hat, while other restaurants and eateries were accorded the “Greek Cuisine Award” and the “People’s Choice Award”.

For an event that signifies the cream of the crop of dining, the food must be impeccable. So apart from the much-awaited glamorous ceremony, the event also featured a lavish dinner cooked by Isaac McHale, one of Britain’s most talented chefs, whose restaurant, «The Clove Club», was ranked 26th among the best 50 restaurants in the world. The setting was opulent, the food was divine and rounding off the memorable evening, guests were treated to a selection of fine wines and drinks.

Note that the “Chef’s Golden Hat” is awarded to Greek restaurants that have received 15 or more points, whereas the “Greek Cuisine Award” is won by restaurants and eateries that serve modern and traditional food and have received more than 14 points. The criteria taken into account include quality of raw materials, technique and cooking skills, harmony and balance of flavours and food presentation, to name a few.

Congratulations to the winners!

2 Chef’s Golden Hat restaurants – Points awarded: 16,5/20
Etrusco: Kato Korakiana, Corfu island (chef: Ettore Botrini)
Funky Gourmet: Keramikos, Athens (chefs: Georgianna Hiliadaki & Nikos Roussos)

1 Chef’s Golden Hat restaurants – Points awarded: 16,5/20
Botrini’s: Chalandri, Athens
Spondi: Pagrati, Athens
Varoulko Seaside: Mikrolimano, Piraeus

1 Chef’s Golden Hat restaurants – Points awarded: 15,5/20
Bill & Coo: Mykonos
Matsuhisa Athens: Vouliagmeni, Athens
Squirrel: Nikiti, Sithonia, Halkidiki
Treehouse: Vourvourou, Sithonia, Halkidiki
Tudor Hall: Athens
Water Restaurant: Sani, Halkidiki

1 Chef’s Golden Hat restaurants – Points awarded: 15/20
Alfredo’s Grand Dining: Thessaloniki
Calypso: Elouda, Crete
CTC: Ilisia, Athens
Hytra: Neos Kosmos, Athens
G.B. Roof Garden: Athens
Koukoumavlos: Santorini
Lycabettus Restaurant: Santorini
Matsuhisa Mykonos: Mykonos
Tomata: Sani, Halkidiki
Ocean Restaurant: Agios Nikolaos, Crete
Patio: Vouliagmeni, Athens
Santoro: Santorini
Selene: Santorini

Greek Cuisine Award restaurants – Points awarded: 14,5/20
Aleria: Metaxourgio, Athens
Bubo Fine Dining Restaurant: Vourvourou, Sithonia, Halkidiki
Elia’s Restaurant: Koukounaries, Skiathos island
Ferryman: Elouda, Crete
Kenshō Restaurant: Mykonos
Red Bicycle: Santorini
Marina: Potidaia, Halkidiki
Mavrikos: Lindos, Rhodes island
Milos Estiatorio: Athens
Mylos: Santorini
Old Mill: Elouda, Crete
Papaioannou: Piraeus
Telemachos Athens: Athens

Greek Cuisine Award restaurants – Points awarded: 14 /20
Athiri: Kerameikos, Athens
Alexis: Sani, Halkidiki
Alfredo’s Garden: Thessaloniki
Argentina: Kolimbari, Crete
Avli: Rethymno, Crete
Gastrodromio: Litochoro, Pieria
6 Keys: Magnesia, Thessaly
The Zillers: Athens
Feedέλ Urban Gastronomy: Athens
Thomas: Sklithro, Florina
Kastri Bistro: Nea Erythrea, Athens
Kontosoros: Xino Nero, Florina
Kritikos: Pallini, Attiki
Marigoula: Poligiros, Halkidiki
Boukadoura: Nikiti, Halkidiki
Naoumidis: Agios Panteleimon, Florina
On The Verandah: Spetses island
Tasos: Kalamaria, Thessaloniki
Taverna: Pylos, Peloponnese
Xasteria: Gouves, Iraklio, Crete
Chrisostomos: Chania, Crete

People’s Choice Award restaurant
Pelagos Seaside Restaurant: Koutsounari, Ierapetra, Crete