Recently, I was saddened to hear about the passing of a dear friend of mine and of IIPT, Nikki Rose. Nikki was the loved and admired founder of “Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries which featured interactive educational programs on Culture, Nature, Sustainable Organic Agriculture, and Cuisine. Her educational seminars for academic institutions and serious enthusiasts of culture, nature and cuisine have received numerous awards for Best Practices from National Geographic, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, and World Travel and Tourism Council. She was an expert in her field.
Nikki founded Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries Educational Network in 1977 to support residents working on action programs to protect and share their heritage. She was a Greek American journalist, seminar director, and professional chef. She has been a consultant on similar initiatives around the world.
Nikki is the author of “Crete: The Roots of the Mediterranean Diet”; Contributing Author, The Routledge Handbook of Sustainable Food and Gastronomy; Destination Stewardship Center; Slow Food; and many other publications. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Archeological Institute of America Magazine, National Public Radio, The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Food Tank, The Guardian (UK), TV New Zealand, Australian Gourmet, Traveler, and O Globo (Brazil).
Nikki has made presentations at the United Nations, New York; International Institute of Peace through Tourism Conferences; The Embassy of Greece, Washington DC; ECOCLUB; Terroir Talk; The National Hellenic Museum; and more. She has also been interviewed extensively about her award-winning initiatives in Crete by Food Tank; Archeological Institute of America Magazine; National Public Radio; ECOCLUB; International Ecotourism Society; Greek Reporter, and many other outlets.
Nikki was in the final stages of production for a documentary which showcases over four thousand years of Crete’s fascinating history, natural beauty, biodiversity, toxicology, resilience, agroecology, music, young organic farmers, healthy cuisine, and hope.
The IIPT family will always remember Nikki for her insights and wisdom and for opening the doors to Kellari Greek Restaurant in New York where the passing of the baton of leadership from Lou D’Amore to Ajay Prakash took place. Nikki was good friends with the owner and in coordinating arrangements with our Chairman, Timothy Marshall, she noted that “The food is fantastic, and the staff are lovely people. I wish I could be there with you”.
Nikki was hopeful of joining Timothy Marshall, Andreas Laurentzatkis, Gail Parsonage and Jovan Popesku for meetings in Greece following the dedication of the IIPT Global Peace Park in Turkey. However, she was unable to make it because of the recent passing of her sister. One of the topics to be explored was the potential establishment of an IIPT Chapter in Greece.
Dear Nikki, you were truly a dear friend to IIPT.
May you rest in peace. We will miss you!
BY DR. LOU D’AMORE, FOUNDER AND PRESDIENT EMERITUS
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PEACE THROUGH TOURISM
Watch Nikki Rose in Summit Video on Women for Peace : https://institutetourism.com/wp