By Michalis Michaelides
Cyprus put its best foot, and plate, forward on Monday night, hosting an official state dinner steeped in local flavors to mark the start of its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Following the opening ceremony, which drew top European and international officials, including the heads of EU institutions and leaders from Ukraine, Moldova, Lebanon, and Iraq, alongside representatives from Arab states and Gulf countries, the President of the Republic welcomed the heads of 14 official delegations to an elegant dinner at the Leventis Gallery.
According to information obtained by Wiz, the dinner, which began shortly after 9 p.m. on the first floor of the Pinakothek, hosted around 50 guests. The five-course set menu was prepared by Catercom and showcased Cypriot products from start to finish, paired with wines exclusively from local wineries.
The wine pairing was curated by Sofoklis Vlassides of Vlassides Winery, one of Cyprus’ leading winemakers, with the exception of the starters, which were accompanied by wines from KEO. Indigenous grape varieties took center stage, including Xynisteri, Giannoudi, and Mavro, with Commandaria making a notable appearance.
The menu leaned heavily into local raw materials, featuring halloumi, anari, halitzi, kolokasi, carob honey, and pastelaki, a deliberate nod to Cyprus’ culinary identity at a moment when the island is in the European spotlight.
Wiz offers an exclusive glimpse into the first official dinner of the Cyprus EU Presidency through images captured just moments before guests took their seats, a snapshot of diplomacy served with a distinctly Cypriot taste.
