Olympus News: Culinary Event at Mount Olympus. by: Livia Salazar

For Greeks, food and eating is not only necessary to satisfy physical needs but it was also a social event! 
Next week, on the 27th of September, there will be a culinary event at Mount Olympus. The event will start with a competition and then there will be a social dining for everyone. The Symposium, as it is known, is a banquet and gathering of drinkers and it will be divided in two parts: the first dedicated to food, generally rather simple, and a second part dedicated to drinking.

Anyone can participate and if you have a culinary talent you can take part in the competition. Each person will have thirty minutes to prepare any typical Greek dish and the best will win a prize. The jurors will be: Helen of Troy, Zeus, Hercules, Ariadne, Theseus and Achilles.

Before the competition starts, jurors, competitors and viewers will have the opportunity to try the typical Spartan soup called black soup or black broth which is a staple soup made of boiled pigs' legs, blood, salt and vinegar. According to the legend, a man from Sybaris infamous for its luxury and gluttony, after tasting the Spartans' black soup remarked with disgust, "Now I know why the Spartans do not fear death". That’s why this soap had been chosen to start the competition. 

At the first part of the Symposium, people will be able to eat not only what competitors prepared but also dishes made by expert chefs. Although the second part is just about drinking, wine will be served in the first part of the Symposium consumed with the food, and the beverages will be accompanied by snacks such as chestnuts, beans, toasted wheat, or honey cakes; all intended to absorb alcohol and extend the drinking spree.

The second part will be inaugurated with the drinks in honour of Dionysus and it will be followed by conversation and also there will be table games. We are all going to play our typical game called kottabos.

As Plutarch, a Greek historian had said, “We do not sit at the table to eat… but to eat together” and this is the main reason of our culinary event. We want to prepare a pleasant and entertaining night of laugh, fun and delicious food to our brave and wise nation!