The Opson Project – Achilleas Papadimitriou

Tell us about your roots.

I was fortunate to be born and raised in a Greek family from the Peloponnese, in the beautiful countryside of Amaliada, 35 km from the site of Olympia, where healthy food is and always will be a true way of life. One of my earliest memories dates back to when I was 6 years old and participated in the fruit harvest in our family olive grove. Even today, I can still smell the olives and the damp soil of the grove, just as I can still sense the aroma of the honey I ate before going to school.

What words immediately come to mind when you hear about Greece?

Family, friendship, conviviality, nature, sea and mountains, olive trees…

Tell us about your favorite places— the islands, the mainland, Athens.

My favorite places are those where nature is present, but even in the noise and bustle of cities, we often find authentic elements. I have lived in Crete, the Peloponnese, and Athens, but I’ve traveled a lot. Greece is a small country, but rich in diverse landscapes and varied cultures. Each region has its own character, its own beauty. You can find the artistic, cultural, and historical neighborhoods of Athens, the extraordinary charm of the island landscapes, mountain life with natural parks, or the Dionysian rites in the North. I love all these places for different reasons, and each time I discover new things. But my favorite place, aside from my hometown, is the region of Zagori in the northwest of the country.

Gastronomy is a way of life in Greece. Tell us about the importance of food in everyday life.

Greece still preserves preparation methods, cooking techniques, and local products that have been used for centuries, proving the authenticity of Greek gastronomy. It has a wide variety of local recipes from different regions, which align with high-quality local products.

People talk about Cretan, Peloponnesian, Cycladic cuisine, recipes from Greeks in Asia Minor or from the Black Sea Greeks. Greek cuisine is essentially regional, made up of multiple cultural traditions, authentic products, family stories, and legends tied to Ancient Greece. Each region has its own recipes, culture, and signature ingredients.

There are the olives, fruits, and vegetables from the Peloponnese, aromatic herbs from Mount Olympus, cheeses from Thessaly, olive oil from Crete, pies from Epirus, dried tomatoes from Santorini, fish from Kefalonia, salt from Messolonghi, honey from Delphi, wine from Naoussa and Nemme…

Our selection represents all regions of Greece. We work with our team in a friendly atmosphere, and our project is based on values like respect, integrity, responsibility, excellence, and customer focus, with teamwork built on trust and commitment.

Information:

OPSON, 2 Rue Copernic, Nantes. T.: 09 87 36 59 23 and Marché de Talensac, Nantes.

/ www.opson.fr