Latest news with #Emmanuel
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Khaleej Times
From a soldier to star chef, straddling continents and cuisines
When chef Thanos Feskos touched down in Dubai for the first time last month, it wasn't for leisure. 'Just work,' he says with a shrug, reflecting on the whirlwind five-day trip that left little time for sightseeing. But what he lacked in tourism, he made up for in unforgettable culinary impact. 'It was super nice, super enjoyable,' he recalls, eyes bright. 'And the people I met—amazing. So accepting. So warm.' That, he says, is why he's already planning a return. With a spectacular 4 Hands Menu experience that saw two culinary worlds collide on a single plate Feskos charmed the audience with his food and joie de vivre. Hosted at a Shimmers restaurant, the evening paired Feskos with resident chef Emmanuel in a soulful symphony of dishes built around sharing, storytelling, and pure emotion. 'We did it together,' Feskos explains. 'One amuse bouche, one starter, one main, and one dessert each. It was about balance. About friendship on a plate.' Culinary serendipity Born and raised in Porto Rafti, Greece, Feskos didn't grow up in a kitchen dynasty. 'My story doesn't begin with my mother or grandmother teaching me to cook,' he says with a smile. 'I was studying financial accounting, but the kitchen called me during my military service.' Assigned to cook for his unit, he was a complete novice. But the soldiers loved his hearty, home-style meals. 'So I started calling my grandmother for recipes. Bean soup. Spinach pie. Roasted chicken with potatoes—comfort food. I cooked how she cooked for me.' He was soon assigned to be the Sergeant's personal chef. It was the beginning of an obsession. He enrolled in Greece's Le Monde Culinary Institute, followed by two master's degrees from the Culinary Institute of Switzerland—one in molecular gastronomy and another in European gourmet cuisine and chocolate artistry. 'Yes, I'm a pastry chef too,' he laughs. 'I even placed third worldwide in chocolate architecture.' The rise at Geranium Feskos' journey eventually took him to Copenhagen, where he joined Geranium, the legendary restaurant co-owned by Rasmus Kofoed. Starting at the very bottom, he worked tirelessly—'like two and a half people,' he jokes. But talent and persistence propelled him forward, and in 2011, he became Head Chef. Under his leadership, Geranium achieved what few ever will: three Michelin stars and the number one spot on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. 'Earning those stars... it's a dream,' Feskos reflects. 'But there's no secret sauce. No magic. Just full focus. Full sacrifice. Full hospitality.' In 2020, Feskos returned to Greece to lead the kitchen at Delta, a restaurant redefining sustainability in haute cuisine. 'We had a farm. We composted everything. We thought about people, not just produce. Human sustainability matters, too.' Under his guidance, Delta earned two Michelin stars and a coveted Green Michelin Star—a testament to both taste and ethics. Despite the accolades, Feskos has shifted his gaze. 'I'm tired of the fine dining grind,' he confesses. 'Now, I just want to cook food that makes people smile.' This mission powers his new ventures: 3 Stripes, a street food project in Athens and Antiparos, and 4 Hands Athens, a collaborative culinary concept that brings chefs together, not just dishes. Bitter bread and sweet memories But every great chef has their kitchen scars. 'The worst moment?' he recalls. 'A mistake with the bread service. The head chef threw 250 mini loaves at me—one by one. I took the blame for a friend.' Yet the best moment outshone it all: 'I cooked for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. They cried at the table. That was it. That was everything.' When asked about his favorite dish, Feskos shrugs off foie gras or rare truffles. 'Something made with love,' he says. 'That's it. It could be beans, bread, anything. If it's made with care, it's the best thing I've ever tasted.' He's particularly fond of Indian food, recalling meals cooked by a friend's mom in Mumbai. 'Spicy, yes. I was sweating buckets,' he laughs. 'But it was so delicious—like a mother's love on a plate.' Dubai's Four-Hands magic At the Dubai event, diners were treated to a journey—not just across borders, but across memories. 'It wasn't about fancy presentation,' Feskos explains. 'It was about sharing. Family-style dishes that made people connect.' The feedback? 'Overwhelming. People came up to us after saying it felt like home, even though the flavors were new. That's what food should do.' Even with the Dubai menu leaning toward simplicity—dictated by the restaurant's concept—Feskos's fine-dining finesse shone through in flavor, warmth, and attention to detail. With new projects simmering in Greece and Asia—and another Dubai visit hinted at for late 2025—Feskos shows no signs of slowing down. 'It's not about the 'wow' anymore. It's about warmth.' Whether it's a rustic bean soup or a refined amuse bouche Thanos cooks with the same goal: to make you feel something. And judging by the empty plates and full hearts at his 4 Hands dinner in Dubai, he's doing just that.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Teen who died in Donegal drowning was a 'truly special soul', funeral hears
The funeral of an 18-year-old who tragically died in Co Donegal heard that he was a 'truly special soul.' Matt Sanele Sibanda, 18, and his friend Emmanuel Famiola, 16, tragically drowned after getting into difficulty while playing football near Ned's Point at Buncrana. Matt was originally from Zimbabwe while Emmanuel was from Nigeria, and both were living in Donegal at the time of the tragedy. Speaking at Matt's funeral on Saturday, his uncle Buhle told mourners that his nephew moved through life with 'quiet dignity and deep respect for others,' and that he was a 'gentle soul.' The funeral of an 18-year-old who tragically died in Co Donegal heard that he was a 'truly special soul.' Pic: Family handout 'The pain of losing him so suddenly taken from us in the ocean's vast embrace is something we are still struggling to understand,' Buhle said. 'But even in our grief, we come together in faith, knowing that God walks with us, especially in our suffering. 'Matt was a truly special soul. He was a humble young man never one to seek the spotlight, never one to boast. He moved through life with quiet dignity and deep respect for others. Whether speaking with elders or playing with younger children, he carried himself with grace. You could see his goodness in the way he treated people with kindness, patience, and sincerity. 'He was the kind of person who made others feel seen, heard, and valued. That is a rare gift, and one that touched everyone who knew him. Though his life was far too short, Matt left us with memories and moments that will live on forever. He may no longer walk beside us, but he lives in our hearts in his gentle smile, in his respectful words, in the quiet strength of his presence. Matt and Emmanuel Familola (pictured) both drowned when they got into difficulty in the water. Pic: Scoil Mhuire Buncrana 'The ocean, in all its mystery, took him from this world, but we believe that God, in His infinite mercy, received him with open arms. As Catholics, we hold to the hope and promise of eternal life. We trust that Matt is now in the presence of our Lord, where there is no more sorrow, only peace and joy.' Buncrana Parish Priest Father Francis Bradley told the funeral at St Mary's Oratory on Saturday that members of Matt's family had travelled to Ireland for the funeral to support his mother Bonnie. 'Over the past three weeks there has been a lot of visiting going on locally,' Fr Bradley said. 'Especially in the light of the tragic events, the tragic deaths of Matt Sibanda and his good friend Emmanuel Familola.' Both boys died after getting into difficulty while entering the water near Ned's Point, Buncrana. Matt's body was recovered some time later, while Emmanuel passed away from his injuries at Letterkenny University Hospital. Pic: Getty 'The events of the afternoon of May 10 last will remain with us for a long time. While some distance has been drawn now from those terrible moments, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel is still an open wound, a sore blow for all of us, but most especially for their grieving families. 'We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it. While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened.' 'From his earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, Matt has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his great ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart,' he continued. 'In the building which became his home since his arrival here in late 2023, Matt was the eldest child and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone, but most especially to his mother, he became a natural leader, a first among equals. 'He was undeniably wise and good beyond his years with an ability to sit with other children reading, debating and learning with great enthusiasm, always curious to know a little more. His surname Sibanda means lion. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means lion. 'Both Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common, as well as their Catholic faith, their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping all sides to reach a better solution. All of this stemmed from a profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never, ever spoke back to her, even once, throughout his 18 years. '[He was] a man of few words, a good and kind boy, a humble kid.'
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
'A good and kind boy': Funeral of Buncrana drowning victim Matt Sibanda takes place
A YOUNG MAN who died in a double-drowning tragedy off the Co Donegal coast has been remembered for his quiet but sociable presence, smiling face and ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. Matt Sibanda, 18, was laid to rest following his funeral mass at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana today. He was due to begin sitting his Leaving Certificate exams in the coming days at Crana College in Buncrana. It is two weeks to the day since Matt's friend, Emmanuel Familola, 16, was also laid to rest in the same church after the pair perished in the same tragedy in Lough Swilly. Both young men were understood to be trying to retrieve a ball from the water while swimming during the recent good spell of weather off Buncrana on May 10th. Another friend who also got into difficulty managed to swim ashore. Matt's body was found hours after he went missing following a huge search by the emergency services and local volunteer vessels. His friend Emmanuel was plucked from the sea earlier in the day and rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital but tragically passed away a few hours later. Emmanuel was laid to rest on May 17th. However, Matt's funeral was delayed until today to allow family members travel from their native Zimbabwe. Included among the traveling group was Matt's beloved grandmother Josephine. Earlier this week, Matt's family traveled to the scene of the tragedy to see where their beloved son, brother and grandson died. A small ritual took place at the pier which was overseen by Matt's grandmother in her role as head of the family so they could release his soul and allow him to go to heaven. A large crowd attended today's funeral to say a final farewell to the young man who had carved out a special place in the heart of the local community despite his short time there. As well as Matt's beloved mother Bonnie, his brother Thembalethu and sisters Modest and Sandy, were present to say a final farewell to the young man who have played such a huge part in all their lives. Before Matt's mass began, a member of Matt's family thanked the local community for their support and friendship for the family since Matt's tragic passing. Fr Francis Bradley, parish priest, said Matt was undeniably wise and good beyond his years. Advertisement He said 'From his earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, Matt has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. 'In the Old HSE Building which became his home since his arrival here in late 2023, Matt was the eldest child, and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone but most especially to his mother, he became a natural leader – a first among equals. 'He was undeniably wise and good beyond his years with an ability to sit with other children reading, debating and learning with great enthusiasm, always curious to know a little more. 'His surname, Sibanda, means 'Lion'. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means 'Lion'. Pope Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common – their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping all sides to reach a better solution. 'All of this stemmed from his profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never ever spoke back to her even once throughout his eighteen years. A man of few words, a good and kind boy, a humble kid who would play with the other children, always looking out for his sister Sandy. 'He adored her, and she him. He would watch her when his Mam was working; he taught her to ride a bike; he would play piggy back with her and chase her after school – always kind and happy. 'He had the perfect balance in life, for he loved food, healthy food, and loved exercising, lifting weights; ironically, he was a powerful swimmer.' Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda. Fr Bradley added that while the world is now moving on from the terrible tragedy of May 10th, the local community in Buncrana and Donegal is still coming to terms with it. He added, 'While some distance has been drawn now from those terrible moments, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel is still an open wound, a sore blow for all of us, but most especially for his grieving family. 'We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it. While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened. 'For these reasons and more we feel the need to reach out in hope to one another and to God in a search for peace more than answers, and for the healing consolation which can only ever come from the heart of God alone.' Among those present to support Matt's family was Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, representing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, Kate Gillen of IPAS, CEO of the Donegal Education Training Board Anne McHugh as well as various public representatives. Many of Matt's teachers and fellow pupils from Crana College as well as Principal Mr Kevin Cooley were also present. A huge bloom of white flowers reading Matt's name lay at the foot of the altar accompanied by a photo montage of Matt and a football made from flowers to reflect Matt's love of the game. As well as traditional hymns, songs from Matt's native Zimbabwe filled St Mary's Oratory as both communities came together to remember a fine young man taken too soon. Matt's heartbroken family led his white coffin out of St Mary's church to the haunting sounds of 'Amazing Grace' before his burial in the nearby Cockhill Cemetery. Outside, dark clouds hung over Buncrana on the last day of May as a town which has seen more than its fair share of tragedies, closed the page on another sad chapter. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. 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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tragic drowning victim had something in common with Pope Leo, mourners told
A young man who died in a double-drowning tragedy off the Co Donegal coast has been remembered for his quiet but sociable presence, smiling face and ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. Matt Sibanda, 18, was laid to rest following his funeral Mass at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana today. He was due to begin sitting his Leaving Certificate exams in the coming days at Crana College in Buncrana. It is two weeks to the day since Matt's friend, Emmanuel Familola, 16, was also laid to rest in the same church after the pair perished in the same tragedy in Lough Swilly. Both young men were understood to be trying to retrieve a ball from the water while swimming during the recent good spell of weather off Buncrana on May 10. Another friend who also got into difficulty managed to swim ashore. Matt's body was found hours after he went missing following a huge search by the emergency services and local volunteer vessels. His friend Emmanuel was plucked from the sea earlier in the day and rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital but tragically passed away a few hours later. Emmanuel was laid to rest on May 17. However, Matt's funeral was delayed until today to allow family members travel from their native Zimbabwe. Included among the traveling group was Matt's beloved grandmother Josephine. Earlier this week, Matt's family traveled to the scene of the tragedy to see where their beloved son, brother and grandson died. A small ritual took place at the pier which was overseen by Matt's grandmother in her role as head of the family so they could release his soul and allow him to go to heaven. A large crowd attended today's funeral to say a final farewell to the young man who had carved out a special place in the heart of the local community despite his short time there. As well as Matt's beloved mother Bonnie, his brother Thembalethu and sisters Modest and Sandy, were present to say a final farewell to the young man who have played such a huge part in all their lives. Before Matt's mass began, a member of Matt's family thanked the local community for their support and friendship for the family since Matt's tragic passing. Fr Francis Bradley, parish priest, said Matt was undeniably wise and good beyond his years. He said "From his earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, Matt has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. "In the Old HSE Building which became his home since his arrival here in late 2023, Matt was the eldest child, and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone but most especially to his mother, he became a natural leader – a first among equals. "He was undeniably wise and good beyond his years with an ability to sit with other children reading, debating and learning with great enthusiasm, always curious to know a little more. "His surname, Sibanda, means 'Lion'. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means 'Lion'. Pope Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common – their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping all sides to reach a better solution. "All of this stemmed from his profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never ever spoke back to her even once throughout his eighteen years. A man of few words, a good and kind boy, a humble kid who would play with the other children, always looking out for his sister Sandy. "He adored her, and she him. He would watch her when his Mam was working; he taught her to ride a bike; he would play piggy back with her and chase her after school – always kind and happy. "He had the perfect balance in life, for he loved food, healthy food, and loved exercising, lifting weights; ironically, he was a powerful swimmer." Fr Bradley added that while the world is now moving on from the terrible tragedy of May 10, the local community in Buncrana and Donegal is still coming to terms with it. He added "While some distance has been drawn now from those terrible moments, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel is still an open wound, a sore blow for all of us, but most especially for his grieving family. "We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it. While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened. "For these reasons and more we feel the need to reach out in hope to one another and to God in a search for peace more than answers, and for the healing consolation which can only ever come from the heart of God alone." Among those present to support Matt's family was Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, representing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, Kate Gillen of IPAS, CEO of the Donegal Education Training Board Anne McHugh as well as various public representatives. Many of Matt's teachers and fellow pupils from Crana College as well as Principal Mr Kevin Cooley were also present. A huge bloom of white flowers reading Matt's name lay at the foot of the altar accompanied by a photo montage of Matt and a football made from flowers to reflect Matt's love of the game. As well as traditional hymns, songs from Matt's native Zimbabwe filled St Mary's Oratory as both communities came together to remember a fine young man taken too soon. Matt's heartbroken family led his white coffin out of St Mary's church to the haunting sounds of 'Amazing Grace' before his burial in the nearby Cockhill Cemetery. Outside, dark clouds hung over Buncrana on the last day of May as a town which has seen more than its fair share of tragedies, closed the page on another sad chapter.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
China rebukes Macron's comparison of Ukraine and Taiwan
French President Emmanuel (AP) SINGAPORE: China hit back at French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday for drawing a connection between the Ukraine conflict and the fate of Taiwan, saying the two issues are "different in nature, and not comparable at all". "Comparing the Taiwan question with the Ukraine issue is unacceptable," China's embassy in Singapore said on social media, a day after Macron warned Asian defence officials in Singapore not to view Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a far-away problem. "If we consider that Russia could be allowed to take a part of the territory of Ukraine without any restriction, without any constraint, without any reaction of the global order, how would you phrase what could happen in Taiwan?" Macron told the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier annual security forum. "What would you do the day something happens in the Philippines?" China's embassy fired back that the "Taiwan question is entirely China's internal affair. There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory." While Taiwan considers itself a sovereign nation, China has said it will not rule out using force to bring it under its control. US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth warned Saturday at the same forum in Singapore that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia, adding the Chinese military was building the capabilities to invade Taiwan and "rehearsing for the real deal".
