Biography

Ιlias Mamalakis (born November 20, 1949, Athens) is a Greek chef. He studied Economics and worked for many years as a high-ranking executive in multinational companies. After several experiences, around the age of 40, he became involved in gastronomy. In 1992, he wrote his first book entitled “Mageirikon” while later he began collaborating with magazines Menu and others, ELLE, Teletheatis, Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia and SKAI radio with the show: “Ilias and his magic wand”. Since 1993, he has also been professionally involved in cooking. He has worked in product design in the food industry (including the Greek Mac and Greek Chicken for McDonald's in Greece. Greek Mac is currently making an international career in 10 countries). He has designed the flavors of many canned goods for the North Aegean Cannery, was a flavor consultant for the dairies of Crete and previously edited the menus of many distinguished restaurants. Since 2010, he has been a volunteer in the KETHEA communities in the Korydallos and Thives prisons. He was a member of the KETHEA board of directors for 6 years, and a WWF ambassador against overfishing. He has appeared in many television series, and for many years he presented cooking shows on radio and television. He became particularly well-known to the television audience after presenting the award-winning shows "In the Kitchen at Full Speed" (2001-2003) and "Boutique and Sychorio" (2003-2008). His show "Boukia and Sychorio" gained particular popularity both in Greece and abroad. Among its awards are the following: Best Documentary, 2 times Best Editing and Most Popular Show Award in 2007, while it was nominated for Best Direction of a Television Series. In January 2006, it was awarded in Cannes at the International GOURMET VOICE Festival as the best television program in a series. In 2007, Elias Mamalakis was awarded as the most popular person on Greek television. He has been awarded by Unesco and the state of Peru for the best potato recipe in the competition held in 2008.