Tsiknopempti (Tsik-no-pem-ptee) aka ‘Smokey Thursday’ or ‘Fat Thursday’, is almost here! Come celebrate the Greek Carnival season with us this year by sinking your teeth into our delicious Grilled Meat Platter, once again.
This year’s platter is a succulent mixed-grill of all our favourite meats: Lamb Skewer, Loukaniko Beef & Pork Greek Sausage, Pork belly, Chicken Skewer, Chicken Wings, Lamb Meatballs & Chips.
It’s £30 for two to share and will be available from Thursday 2nd February, leading up to Tsiknopempti, which this year, falls on Thursday 16th February 2023.
Traditionally on the day, large amounts of grilled meat, Greek salads and Tzatziki are consumed by Greeks all around the globe. If you happen to be walking around any Greek neighbourhood on Tsiknopempti, all you’ll be able to smell in the air is the heavenly smell of barbecuing. All restaurants and tavernas offer copious amounts of grilled meats and the atmosphere is very happy and festive, with large families and friends, gathering together to celebrate the day.
What is Tsiknopempti though? Tsiknopempti is basically the Greek equivalent to Mardi Gras, as similar celebrations known as Fat Thursday are held in many other countries. ‘Τσικνοπέμπτη’ has many possible English translations; It’s referred to as Smelly Thursday, or even Fat, Charred, Smoky, or Barbeque Thursday, and it’s a vital part of the traditional celebrations for the Carnival season in Greece and Cyprus – aka the Apokries – ‘Απόκριες’.It always falls on the Thursday of the 2nd week of Apokries – the week of Kreatini – ‘Κρεατινή’, during which large amounts of meat are traditionally consumed, prior to the arrival of the great Easter Lent, the fasting season leading up to Easter which lasts 40 days and is almost vegan in its entirety.
We could say, Tsiknopempti is a way of ‘stocking up’ on meat, just before we ‘give it up’ for more than a month.
Knowing how important meat is to us Greeks, we definitely take advantage of the day and our Grilled Meat Platter certainly reflects that!
The new platter will only be available from Thursday 2nd February, leading up to Tsiknopempti, on Thursday 16th February 2023, so come taste what the Greek carnival season BBQ, Tsiknopempti, is all about!
