A special dinner centred on gastronomy, wine, hospitality and the international outlook of the Cyclades took place in Santorini, in the distinctive setting of Katikies Garden.
Within the historic hotel, housed in a beautifully restored former monastery in Fira, a group of guests from different fields came together around a shared connection to Santorini, Greek gastronomy and wine.
Seated at the table of the owner of the Katikies Group were, among others, Nikos, owner of Katikies Group, Cyclades MP Markos Kafouros, MP Giorgos Nikitiadis, and Kostas Skagias, Ambassador of Mykonos Promo.
The presence of Markos Kafouros was particularly relevant, given his close connection to Santorini’s wine production and Santo Wines. The gathering brought together people from politics, tourism and hospitality, giving the evening a character that extended beyond that of a private dinner.
Selene at the heart of the evening
The dinner took place at Selene, the restaurant that has for decades been associated with the gastronomic identity of Santorini.
Today, Selene is located within Katikies Garden, inside the former monastery, and has entered a new chapter under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini. Its philosophy combines contemporary technique with local ingredients, tradition and the culinary heritage of the island.
Ettore Botrini and his team were responsible for the menu of the evening, bringing a distinctly gastronomic dimension to the gathering. Botrini’s cuisine is rooted in a contemporary interpretation of Greek culinary tradition, with an emphasis on quality ingredients and the expression of flavour.
Selene is currently experiencing an especially active period of gastronomic programming. On September 25 and 26, the restaurant hosted Selene Vedema 2026, under the theme “Heritage in Time”, bringing together gastronomy, wine and the cultural heritage of Santorini.
Wine at the table
Wine played an equally important role in the evening, with the wine selection and curation overseen by Yiannis Karakasis MW.
Yiannis Karakasis is a Master of Wine and Wine Director of the Katikies Group, with a particularly strong connection to Santorini and its vineyards. His involvement added another dimension to the dinner, with wine becoming an integral part of the overall gastronomic experience.
That connection was also evident during this year’s Selene Vedema. The wines served during the two dinners were selected by Karakasis MW, with the wine pairing focusing exclusively on wines from Santorini. He also curated wine masterclasses exploring the Greek wine landscape and, in particular, the wines of Santorini.
Wine therefore served not simply as an accompaniment to the food, but as another way of expressing the identity of the island.
A table reflecting the Cyclades’ international outlook
The gathering at Katikies Garden took place at a time when Santorini is once again at the centre of a series of important gastronomic and wine events.
Katikies Garden represents a distinctive chapter in the group’s hospitality presence on the island. The hotel occupies a restored 18th-century monastery in Fira, combining historic architecture with contemporary hospitality. It features 40 rooms and suites, while the property is also home to Selene, Selene Wine Bar and the Selene Wine Caves.
The choice of this setting for such a gathering carries its own significance: a historic Santorini property becomes a meeting point for people involved in hospitality, gastronomy, wine and the international promotion of Greek destinations.
The current programme at Selene reflects precisely this direction. Selene Vedema 2026, held on September 25 and 26, featured two 4 Hands Dinners with Ettore Botrini and chef Emmanouil Papoutsakis, wine masterclasses and a Producers’ Tasting featuring Santorini producers.
The distinctive place of Katikies Garden
Katikies Garden retains its One MICHELIN Key in 2026, part of the MICHELIN Guide’s hotel selection recognising properties for their hospitality experience, character and overall quality.
The hotel offers a setting where history and contemporary hospitality coexist. Within the former monastery, Selene’s gastronomy and Santorini’s wine culture form central elements of the overall experience.
Against this backdrop, the evening became another gathering of people connected to the contemporary image of the Cyclades.
From Ettore Botrini’s menu and Yiannis Karakasis MW’s wine selections to the presence of figures from tourism, gastronomy and the wider Cyclades community, the evening brought together several elements that define Santorini today: hospitality, gastronomy and wine, all deeply connected to the island’s identity.
Explore further:
https://www.katikies.com/katikiesgardensantorini/
https://selene.gr/
https://botrinis.com/
https://karakasis.mw/
https://www.markoskafouros.gr/
Content Manager: Ambassador Mykonos Promo Kostas Skagias
