ILIAS BLANIS

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Fishkardo • Tra Due

Kefalonia, Greece

Ilias Blanis is a Greek Executive Chef with more than a decade of international experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and award-winning fine dining establishments across the United Kingdom and Greece.His career includes some of Europe’s most distinguished kitchens, including The Waterside Inn, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, The Ritz London and Evelyn’s Table.Today, as Executive Chef of Fishkardo and Tra Due in Kefalonia, he brings together classical French technique and contemporary Greek identity, with a cuisine built around seasonality, exceptional ingredients, precision and disciplined execution.

PHILOSOPHY

ABOUT

Respect the ingredient.
Understand the tradition.
Refine the expression.

His cuisine is grounded in classical French technique and shaped by a contemporary Greek identity. Seasonality, exceptional ingredients and disciplined execution form the foundation of every dish, while simplicity and precision allow each ingredient to retain its character. The goal is not to reinvent tradition, but to understand it deeply and express it with clarity and purpose.

Cod Wellington • Champagne •Celeriac

Crab Salad • Saffron• Summer Fruit

SELECTED DISHES

Marinated Prawn • Tarama• Bottarga

Fish Tartare • Citrus

Cod Plaki

Red Mullet Savoro

FROM IDEA TO PLATE

Every dish begins long before it reaches the plate.

The creative process begins with the ingredient — its season, origin and character. From the first idea and initial sketches to testing, refinement and final execution, each dish is developed with a clear purpose: to create something precise, balanced and recognisable without losing the identity of the product.

Technique is a tool, not the destination. Classical foundations provide structure and precision, while seasonality and the quality of the ingredient determine the direction of each dish. The objective is to intervene only where necessary — preserving flavour, texture and identity while refining the final expression.

TECHNIQUE & INGREDIENT

Technique should serve the ingredient, never overshadow it.

Leadership

A strong kitchen is built on consistency, accountability and respect.

For Ilias, leadership goes beyond directing a service. A successful kitchen is built through consistency, mentorship, accountability and mutual respect. Clear standards and disciplined execution matter, but so does creating an environment where people can develop, take responsibility and perform as a team.

EXPERIENCE

2026 — PRESENT
Executive Chef
Fishkardo · Tra Due
Kefalonia, Greece

SELECTED EXPERIENCE

The Waterside Inn
3 Michelin StarsThe Ritz London
2 Michelin StarsHélène Darroze at The Connaught
3 Michelin StarsEvelyn’s Table
1 Michelin StarParafrasi by CTC
Costa Navarino

CONTACT

For collaborations, consultancy and professional enquiries.

[email protected]+30 694 678 0459Instagram · @ilias_mplsAthens · Kefalonia, Greece