The Tragedy, act 3

[thanks Kanella]

Jamie Does Athens: simplicity & more

I just watched the latest, and last for this season, episode of Jamie Oliver’s series “Jamie Does“, where he visited my hometown, Athens. While watching the show a few thoughts crossed my mind, worth sharing. Thoughts regarding the current situation in Greece, around  tourism, and of course around food.

Jamie Does Athens

Greece today

The timing of the show is great. At least for the British audience, but given Jamie’s popularity, the show is and will be reaching more parts of the globe (free & good advertising). For a change our country is not on TV just because we are on the verge of bankruptcy, but because one of the most popular, famous (you choose) chefs in the world acknowledges Greece, today, as a destination for food and more.

During the show Jamie visits a taverna in Athens and he comments “I love the whole idea of Greek culture of eating out a lot“… “Greeks love to eat out, it’s part of their social scene“. Since the show was shot about a year ago, it makes me wonder whether the crisis will manage to alter Jamie’s remark and how soon.

Tourism

I’m only a tourist and far from an expert on this area, but I’d like to believe that someone (e.g. the Greek National Tourism Organization) invited Jamie Oliver to do a show and it wasn’t just his culinary interest or just to make an interesting show that drove him in Athens. Though I doubt it has crossed anyone’s mind, I could acknowledge that it might not have been relevant to the strategic planning of campaigns like live your myth, kalimera, etc. probably Jennifer Aniston walking around Kolonaki, bumping into the Prime Minister would have more impact (not real idea, just read it somewhere on twitter). If only one could find good uses of such free advertising…

Based on the show, keywords or key concepts of Greece are the Acropolis, Zorba, Souvlaki, Mama mia, Greek honey, dried herbs, bouzouki, the sun, the sea, Greek Yoghurt, fish, meze, the Greek Salad. And No Moussaka! My point? Our national product is well described with overall relatively stable principles. We only need to sell it properly! And I see Jamie’s show as an opportunity to do so. Our “burden” is to preserve it, meaning at least gradually improve it to keep it going and support its stability.

Food

There was lemon in everything,  but the Greek Salad. Of course we love lemon, who doesn’t? I hope in terms of culinary interests from around the world, it should be an awakening. Primarily for Greeks to start appreciating their food, even if it takes a British chef to glorify the simplicity of our cuisine and spreading the word. Where there is souvlaki, rationale and logic mandate no junk food can exist! I’m pretty sure that Aristotle himself would have preached so too.

Fresh grilled tuna ladolemono (referred as Greek lemon sauce)

Kudos to Jamie Oliver for the show!

The Tragedy, act 2