My name is Ioanna, and I’m the cook behind all things artisan and Scanditerranean. Born and raised in Athens, Greece — when I was 22 years old, I set off to live a bit like a nomad, traveling around the Mediterranean and the Nordics: Spain, Malta, Sweden, Finland.

I dropped anchor in Finland 8 years ago — came here for a Master’s, and currently pursuing a PhD. When the outside world gets a little too loud, I find solace in nature. I use slow living and traditional cooking methods as ways to stay present and grounded. I study how to grow, preserve, ferment, and cook food — in the process I take the chance to look up to the sky and see the green leaves of the trees move, and I’m being reminded of what really matters in this little world.

My work focuses on Artificial Intelligence, but it’s the humans that have always fascinated me. Most of my projects orbit around space science and astrophysics, and I have developed a love for observational astronomy and astrophotography. I dream of living a life closer to self-sufficiency, and that makes me feel a little bigger. I point my telescope to deep sky objects that are really far away, and I feel a little smaller. Just looking to strike a balance, stay curious, and live a life not defined by office politics.

Scanditerranean is my way of connecting the old with the new, and inviting you to taste a little piece of my journey. It’s about sharing with you the shelter I find in this way of life, along with scanditerranean recipes and traditions, for those drawn by the same curiosities.

My greatest achievement so far? A little cult I’ve joined with the men of my life, Pablo and Brie (hint: they both have whiskers). Core beliefs of the cult are concerned with how many treats and/or breakfasts Brie, the Meowsiah, deserves. We’re currently moving to the Finnish countryside — the whole gang in tow.

Thanks for reading my little story,
Ioanna ~