Meet Your Private Chef in Crete: Christos Dekaneas
Cretan Soul Kitchen
Private Chef
He was born and raised in Athens. Having Cretan roots on his mother's side, he spent all his summers as a child in his village, the beautiful Pantanassa, in Amari.
As a city boy, the carefreeness and freedom that characterized his summer months in the village, at home with grandma and grandpa was something that fascinated him and all those beautiful and intense memories of playing, climbing, exploring the Cretan landscape with the wild mountains and the crystal clear sea, naturally led him to eventually settling permanently on the island.
But what intrigued him the most was accompanying his grandmother in cooking. A sacred process for Cretan cuisine, since the preparation for the family table is a rite of passage.
The feel of the dough in his hands, the smell of baked bread, the collection of fresh ingredients directly from nature, the chopping, the frying, the mixing, the smells, the colors and the aromas that flooded this small village and grandmother's kitchen, all this, taught him to love and respect cooking.
In addition to his studies in the field of cooking, he gained great experience traveling inside and outside Greece, working alongside well-known Chefs. He has been active in the field of catering since 2009 and until now and as the creator of Cretan Soul Kitchen, he loves to search and discover traditional recipes, to get in touch with older locals, to draw forgotten culinary secrets in order to create dishes inspired by the famous Cretan cuisine.
Only the Best Ingredients
At Cretan Soul Kitchen, we believe that using the freshest, most flavorful ingredients is essential to creating exceptional culinary experiences. That's why we source our ingredients directly from local farmers, fishermen, and producers whenever possible. This ensures that our dishes not only taste delicious but also capture the true essence of Crete. We also use traditional methods and techniques whenever possible, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through. So, when you choose Cretan Soul Kitchen, you can be confident that you're enjoying a taste of Crete made with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Grandma’s Recipes
Raw Artichokes Salad
Artichokes naturally grow at the end of March, and after Easter we find them in abundance in nature. In Crete due to hot weather, they grow prematurely. When you clean them, you can cut the hearts into slices, rub them with a lemon wedge to prevent them from turning black and enjoy them raw with raki or ouzo. Also, as they are raw, sprinkled with lemon, you can put them on top of a lettuce salad together with walnuts, chopped apple and plenty of dill.
Everything by Hand
At Cretan Soul Kitchen, we believe in the magic of human touch. We craft every dish by hand, from preparing the ingredients to the final plating. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every bite is a testament to our passion and dedication. We skip the shortcuts and embrace time-honored techniques, allowing us to achieve the perfect textures, flavors, and presentation. By prioritizing manual mastery, we ensure your experience goes beyond just a meal – it becomes a celebration of culinary artistry.