Judges 2026

Ioannis is a fourth-generation Greek restaurateur and hospitality professional based in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is the founder of Carnivale Funky Gastrotaverna, a contemporary Greek restaurant established in 2018, ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor out of 1,510 restaurants in Sofia, recognized for bold flavors, ingredient-driven cuisine, and a strong gastronomic identity. He curates and continuously evolves a wine list of over 170 labels, renewed three to four times per year, with a strong focus on indigenous grape varieties worldwide and food-driven wine pairing. For the past three years, Giannis has been a judge and contributor to the Bulgarian wine catalogue Ka&Ta, participating in professional tastings and uations of Bulgarian wines, while organizing and hosting wine events, tastings, and producer-focused dinners with wineries and wine professionals internationally. Alongside his restaurant work, he produces bio honey, extra virgin olive oil, and natural black olives, reflecting his belief that gastronomy and wine begin with honest raw ingredients, clear origin, and distinct terroir.