A day before August ends, Ayios Ioannis Pitsilias hosts chefs, visitors and flavours. Its 7th Gastronomy Festival on August 30 is dedicated to the late Chef Andreas Mavrommatis and will feature special events and activities that highlight his journey from the village to the greatest restaurants in Paris.

The Mavromati restaurants from the French city will be present at the festival as chefs from Paris travel to the Cypriot village to share the signature recipes Chef Andreas Mavrommatis created throughout the years.

The festival will also pay tribute to his life and legacy through a dedication set up at the Municipal Library. There, visitors will be able to discover his journey from Ayios Ioannis to Paris where he started his culinary career, placing Mediterranean cooking on the fine dining map.

The festival begins at 11am with a live link with Kanali 6, followed by various Cypriot pastries baking in traditional ovens. Halloumi pies, olive pies and different kinds of breads will be prepared live and cooked on the spot.

Other traditional Cypriot delights such as halloumi, trahanas, palouzes and pies will be prepared by local chefs while a zivania distillation demonstration is shown. The activities will happen throughout the day, starting at 11.30am and lasting until the afternoon, showing visitors every part of the process.

The village’s grandmothers will also take action by cooking traditional recipes, while in the afternoon a tour of the 17th century church will take place. Later in the evening, music and dancing will follow with performances from traditional dance ensembles and singers Vasiliki Hadjiadamou and Sotiris Petsas.

7th Ayios Ioannis Pitsilias Gastronomy Festival

Traditional festival dedicated this year to the late Chef Andreas Mavrommatis. Food, demonstrations, live music and dancing. August 30. Central Square, Agios Ioannis Pitsilia, Limassol district. 11.30am-12am. Free admission