MEET THE DYNAMIC CHEF DUO WHO ARE CHANGING THE DINING LANDSCAPE AT THESE LUXURY HOTELS IN CRETE, GREECE
Exclusive for this summer season, ACRO Suites and Seaside A Lifestyle Resort are hosting a dining event in collaboration with Michelin-star chef, Liam Rogers (12-13 August) who will create a special menu that will showcase the culinary flair the chef is known for.
Chef Yannis Rokanas is the Executive Chef at ACRO Suites a luxury boutique wellness resort nestled on the cliffside of Agia Pelagia in Crete. He has been at the helm of the hotel’s signature restaurant, Cremnos, since the official opening of the hotel in 2021.
Yannis Rokanas is a passionate chef who started cooking at the age of 11 whilst living in Athens. His impressive career spans over nearly two decades having worked at various award-winning five-star hotels and Michelin-star restaurants.
Together with the team at ACRO Suites, Yannis Rokanas designs the most beautifully presented and equally delicious Cretan inspired dishes with a fine dining twist while admiring the panoramic sea views.
“The idea behind Cremnos was to create a nutritional haven where we derive our inspiration from the traditional Greek dining and reinterpret old time classic recipes with a modern twist. We use handpicked, organic, fresh ingredients from small farms around the island. The menus are based on authentic Cretan cuisine and each dish has been specifically curated to provide the optimum amount of nutrients that are beneficial to our health.” says Chef Yannis Rokanas.
This season, Chef Yannis Rokanas has introduced a new dining menu which includes dishes such as the rooster ravioli with pastitsada sauce, Arseniko Naxos cheese and crispy onion, corn fed chicken with feta cheese polenta, “briam” summer cream, asparagus, and onion jus and an indulgent raw choco caramel dessert with medjool date caramel, peanuts and peanut butter sauce.
ACRO Suites is a luxury boutique wellness resort nestled on the cliffside of Agia Pelagia in Crete home to 49 suites, lofts, and villas with private pools, all designed to create a memorable experience that is the apotheosis of relaxation.
Chef Manolis Kastanakis is the Executive Chef at Seaside A Lifestyle Resort, sister property of ACRO Suites. Seaside A Lifestyle Resort boasts serene panoramic views of the Aegean Sea with a plethora of dining options with various gourmet dishes and exotic recipes to choose from carefully prepared by Chef Manolis Kastanakis and his team. The Minoan Cretan Tavern introduces guests to natural and local ingredients, Kullinarium offers dinner in a romantic candlelit setting and the latest edition on site is UMI which is home to delicious Nikkei cuisine.
Some of the dishes on the menu at Kullinarium include dumplings with shrimp bisque, ouzo and rice wrap, beetroot ravioli with almond milk, celery root, apple, and almonds while UMI offers an amazing selection of dishes inspired by Peruvian and Japanese cuisine such as Nigiri salmon, Tempeh meat and matcha crème brulée.
Emmanuel Kastanakis, was born and raised in the charming village of Koxari, nestled in the heart of Heraklion, Crete. For Emmanuel, cooking is not just an art, it is a way of communication and offering his inner world. Embracing a holistic culinary philosophy, Emmanuel skillfully intertwines nature's bounty, the essence of his surroundings, and the treasured memories inherited from his family traditions. Every plate that leaves his kitchen showcases the rich tapestry of Cretan and Greek flavors, tantalising the senses of all who embark on culinary journeys through Seaside’s establishments.
Only a short stroll away from a beautiful sandy beach, this lifestyle resort is perfect for an adults-only summer getaway. Seaside boasts 245 rooms and suites, some with private pools, which offer all the tranquillity and comfort guests could ask for. Each room is elegantly decorated and draws on the island’s natural palette of whites, terracotta, and neutral tones with a boho-chic design.
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About ACRO Suites
ACRO Suites is a 5* luxury boutique resort set on the rocky cliffside of Mononaftis Bay, in Crete, Greece.
‘ACRO’ originates from the ancient Greek word ‘Akros/Akron’ which means ‘on the edge’ – where the wellbeing retreat is built.
All suites and villas offer sea views. The property is home to 49 suites, lofts, and villas with private pools.
ACRO Suites is a 20-30 minutes drive from Heraklion International Airport, the island’s capital. Mononaftis Bay, where the property stands, is in the picturesque area of Agia Pelagia; offering access to several beaches, seaside cafes and restaurants to be enjoyed.
Link to newsroom: https://acro-suites.prezly.com/
Link to media gallery: https://acro-suites.prezly.com/media
About Seaside A Lifestyle Resort
Seaside A Lifestyle Resort, is situated in Agia Pelagia, Crete. This 5* luxurious, adults-only resort is situated upon the hillside of Mononaftis Bay with magnificent, surrounding views of the Aegean Sea.
The complex features 245 rooms and suites some with private pools. There are four restaurants situated on the premises which offer various cuisines from around the globe as well as authentic Cretan dishes with local ingredients.
There is a Cave Spa that offers a broad range of nourishing treatments. There is a fitness centre and full access to the Asana Yoga Shala.
Heraklion International Airport is a 30-minute drive from Seaside. There are numerous beaches, and historic attractions and the town of Pelagia is a short drive away.
Link to newsroom: https://seaside-resort-spa.prezly.com/
Link to media gallery: https://seaside-resort-spa.prezly.com/media