Individual Members

Mariana Kavroulaki

Member of EXARC since
Country
Greece

Having studied Sociology and Archaeology, I specialize in experimental, sensory, and public food-archaeology. Since 2000 I have been working as a freelance archaeologist exploring the evolution of Greek cuisine throughout the centuries and encouraging people to rethink historical dining, class, genre, and ancient food politics through experimental food-archaeology, multi-sensory history-themed dinners and tastings, workshops, and interactive lectures. I am also the founder and organizer of the Symposia of Greek Gastronomy, biennial weekend-long meetings at which academics, food writers, cooks, activists, artists and locals discuss issues within Greek food.

I have presented papers on Greek food and beyond, winning the Gourmand World Award 2012 for my book ‘The Language of Taste’, and have worked as a historical consultant in international TV productions and documentaries.

I have been a member of the Administrative Council of the Historical, Folklore, and Archaeological Society of Crete. I am Secretary-General of the Carob of Crete (Society for the Cultivation of Natural and Cultural Development of the Carob Tree in Crete).
My most recent work involves:

  • The manners in which the senses are used as a hermeneutic tool for interpreting material culture and ancient foods.
  • Hellenistic cooking pots and ancient ovens as a complex, multi-dimensional form of knowledge.
  • Invented identities and how modern Cretans consume antiquity through their food.
  • Recreating the past: pitfalls and dangers.