The Art of Silent Gastronomy

In the world of gastronomy, there are professionals, there are artists… and then there are those rare figures who move quietly, with humility, yet manage to influence an entire culture without ever raising their voice. For me, Nikolaos Chomatas is exactly that: a man of quiet strength, who cooks with substance, vision, and soul.

I first came to know him online, by following his work and his rarely yet deeply inspired posts. Something in the way he described cooking—not as an art, but as an act of memory and faith—immediately drew me in. It felt as though I was reading thoughts I might have written myself… only expressed better.

What I truly admire in Nikos is that, despite his credentials, projects, books, and collaborations with monasteries, he does not market himself. He doesn't try to "sell" tradition. He lives it. He respects it. He cooks it.

His project "The Path of  God" is, for me, a unique example of how gastronomy can be interwoven with spirituality without becoming new-age folklore. It is profound, carefully studied, and above all, filled with flavor and truth.

And somewhere along the way, the thought was born: "This is someone I'd like to collaborate with." Not for a "check" on a résumé, but because I deeply appreciate what they stand for.

I imagine a "4 hands" event, with two chefs, two different paths, but one common goal: to creatively play with tradition without breaking it, to honor it without mummifying it. And of course, to do it with humor, camaraderie, and full bellies—ours and the audience's.

Who knows, maybe I'll bring the twist, they'll bring the balance, and in the end, we'll end up with a cuttlefish with greens and trahana that carries the sound of the pot and the scent of incense. Or simply… a dish that makes people remember, get moved, and truly leave satisfied.

Nikolaos Chomatas is a chef who deserves to be heard far more— even if he prefers to move off the beaten path. And personally, I can only say that it would be an honor for me to bring our kitchens together, with or without incense.