Chef Akis Petretzikis has officially moved to Greek television network SKAI, where he will host new cycles of Kitchen Lab and Akis' Food Tour.
Network officials released a statement on Tuesday, September 22, confirming the agreement and welcoming the chef back to the channel.
Akis Petretzikis rose to national prominence after winning MasterChef Greece in 2010, becoming one of the country's most popular culinary personalities and media entrepreneurs.
SKAI stated that Petretzikis, described as one of the top and most creative chefs on television, returns to fill screens with new flavors and culinary travels. Network executives highlighted his authenticity, humor, and endless energy in bringing the two established shows to viewers.
Kitchen Lab celebrates ten years of television presence this season. The program originally debuted on SKAI during the 2017-18 season and maintained strong momentum over time to become a major culinary brand.
The well traveled show Akis' Food Tour invites audience members to journey across Greece and international destinations, highlighting local communities, authentic recipes, and regional flavors. SKAI welcomed Petretzikis back to the network while wishing him continued success and delicious routes.
Prior network coverage noted that Petretzikis posted photographs with his children on June 22, 2026, expressing joy in watching them grow with love. He also met with British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver on April 20, 2026, telling followers to stay tuned for future updates.
Television and entertainment news
Greek television broadcasts featured significant drama across entertainment programming on September 23, 2026. A contestant on Greece's Next Top Model broke into tears after judge Betty Maggira asked whether she could fit into the light plus size modeling category.
Another contestant, Stojan, startled the panel by explaining that he works in a funeral home digging graves rather than handling deceased individuals. Meanwhile, actress Vana Barba stated that she had avoided television appearances out of fear that close up camera shots would make her appear unflattering.
Greek television viewer ratings highlighted strong competition across morning programming and fiction shows, including RifiFi, Mpampades, and Greece's Next Top Model. Viewers on X praised actor Vassilis Charalampopoulos for his performance in RifiFi, describing his acting as exceptional. Broadcaster ALPHA scheduled comedy show Foni sto Kampanario 2 alongside RifiFi for a prominent fiction evening.
Actress Christina Heila-Fameli recalled that after finishing school, her family suffered severe financial hardship as her parents were hit hard by the economic crisis.
Actress Renia Louizidou marked 29 years of marriage with her husband, describing him as her lifelong partner.
In other music and media updates, the 14-year-old nephew of singer Giorgos Mazonakis performed the song Ores Mikres as a personal farewell. Singer Anna Vissi conducted rehearsals for a major concert at OAKA stadium alongside a Greek-Australian guitarist under tight security measures. Singer Melina Aslanidou addressed past public rumors, stating that the worst claim she had heard about herself was that she was an alcoholic, while also reflecting on the death of her brother.
Celebrity updates and international culture
Sixty-five-year-old former footballer Lothar Matthaeus attended Oktoberfest alongside his 27-year-old partner, who is younger than all three of his daughters. In Milan, top fashion figures Heidi Klum, Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Lopez, and Greek designer Celia Kritharioti gathered for a high profile fashion event.
Actor Matthew McConaughey's 18-year-old son made his fashion runway debut during Milan Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton spent romantic evenings in Europe with Kim Kardashian, enjoying bicycle rides and champagne on a yacht.
Actor Jamie Foxx commented on deciding to become a father again at age 58, stating that he still possessed the energy for parenthood. Media personality Genevieve Mazari praised her husband as the most handsome man in Greece, noting that he supported her through dark moments. Actor Giorgos Gerontidakis expressed deep admiration for Doretta Papadimitriou, describing her as far more talented than himself. Presenter Lambros Fisfis noted that his Portuguese wife loved living in Greece even more than many locals, while singer Christos Menidiatis recalled a medical visit in Kolonaki that he did not repeat.
In global culture, forty-three-year-old actor Arnaud Denis underwent legal euthanasia after sharing that he no longer had a quality of life and could not leave his home. A 33-year-old man in England was arrested after striking a bus driver with a ticket machine, stealing the bus, and crashing it.
Greek national affairs and security
Greece deployed naval assets in the Aegean Sea in response to increased Turkish maritime movement, stationing the frigates Kimon and Centaur while preparing the Shield of Achilles system. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited Egypt while Greek forces conducted military exercises alongside Israel.
Greek authorities issued military mobilization text messages to thousands of citizens up to age 60 to clarify reserve status procedures. In Volos, a police officer was exposed for demanding up to 700 euros to erase traffic violations, generating over 3,000 euros weekly in illicit gains.
Police in Aigio arrested a wanted suspect following a violent assault involving 7,000 euros. In Pyrgos, a twelve-year-old girl reported being chased by Roma community members who threw stones and bottles while accusing her mother of involvement in a fatal crash with a 17-year-old.
The Athenian Club suspended businessman Theodoropoulos for six months following his pre-trial detention connected to the death of Giorgos Mazonakis. Investigators examining the death analyzed evidence involving intoxication, a defibrillator, and adrenaline. Separately, the head of the neurology department at the 424 Military Hospital was found dead inside his office.
Business trends and global events
Middle Eastern energy tensions escalated as Saudi Arabia faced regional pressures, impacting European energy costs and focusing attention on Greek-Saudi relations dating back to the 1970s.
European Union member states implemented emergency measures as fuel shortages pushed diesel prices up by 30 euros per fill up. In Washington, American officials entered advanced discussions with Arab support to inspect Russian oil flows and manage international assets of Lukoil with support from Donald Trump.
Greek commercial firm Chatzigeorgiou S.A. outlined strategic goals for 2027, focusing on realistic, profitable growth to expand market share following increased sales. Telecommunications operator Nova promoted its Nova more package, bundling internet, fixed line, and mobile services. The founding families behind food company Elbisco, Remoundos and Filippou, continued a 40-year legal dispute among heirs. Meanwhile, Greek shipping investments of billions of euros drew international financial markets closer to Athens.
World news and historic discoveries
At the United Nations, Donald Trump stated that he faced a choice between helping Iran recover economically or allowing further escalation. In Iran, school children returned to classrooms following closures enacted at the start of armed conflict.
Archaeologists in Turkey discovered a new section of the world's oldest known peace treaty, detailing specific historical clauses regarding refugees. Near Cologne, an amateur archaeologist unearthed 934 Roman silver coins buried in a field.
Engineers transported a 1,020-ton nuclear reactor over 270 kilometers along the Columbia River using a transport system fitted with 320 wheels. In environmental enforcement, authorities tracked a tanker dumping industrial waste into the Kifisos River, though Papadopoulou biscuit company denied responsibility, stating that the vehicle belonged to an independent partner firm.
Political figure Alexis Tsipras advocated for a PASOK coalition with SYRIZA and proposed a patriotic contribution tax targeting slightly more than 70 wealthy families. Former MP Stephanos Avlonitis defended his right to speak openly regarding political realignment. AEK Athens figure Nikolic described the chilling atmosphere at Nea Filadelfia stadium, recalling seeing the same elderly woman holding a flare on two separate occasions.
Health guides outlined four vital steps for CPR during cardiac arrest, while medical experts warned of abdominal aortic aneurysms as silent health threats. The Greek designer of Princess Diana's famous Revenge Dress revealed that she created the iconic gown in Volos without anticipating its global fame. Additional lifestyle reports highlighted five autumn travel destinations in fir covered villages near Athens, the educational offerings of IdEF French College in Greece, financial predictions for zodiac signs, and essential dog nutrition advice.
