Alexandros Katsonis

Born in Thessaloniki in 1973, he graduated from the Kalamaria Vocational Training Institute (I.E.K.) in the field of Culinary Arts in 2002, having received a scholarship for all four semesters. He also completed accelerated courses at the O.T.E.K. in the field of Pastry Arts. Since 1991, he has worked in hotel and independent catering businesses across various parts of Greece. In 2007, he was appointed to a permanent position at the Public Entity of the Municipality of Agrinio with the specialty of Cook (DE 32), where he continues to work today. He is also a professor at the I.I.E.K. Tomi in Agrinio, specializing in "Culinary Arts Technician," and has participated in numerous catering seminars. He has been awarded two bronze medals at the 2nd Gastronomic Skill Meeting (Detrop, 2001) in the categories of hot dish with fresh pasta and group menu composition. Since 2003, he has served as a consultant for catering businesses in Thessaloniki, Volos, Ptolemaida, and Agrinio. He was the Sous Chef at an Olympic hotel during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Since 1993, he has been involved in employee training, starting when he first worked at a franchise of the parent company he was employed by. Since then, staff training has been one of his primary responsibilities in every business he has worked for, and he has been awarded the title of staff trainer by a major international hotel chain.