Vaios Koukoumtzis appointed Executive Chef for 2026 Season at Santo Collection

Santo Collection Resorts & Villas announces the appointment of Executive Chef Vaios Koukoumtzis for the 2026 season, where he will oversee culinary programming across its luxury resorts and villas on the island of Santorini. Drawing on more than three decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for Greek cuisine, Chef Koukoumtzis leads signature culinary offerings across the portfolio, collaborating closely with restaurant teams to deliver locally sourced, authentic flavors with a contemporary twist. 

Chef Koukoumtzis brings longstanding familiarity with Santo Collection to his role, having spent 20 years with parent company, the family-owned Metaxa Hospitality Group. Over the course of his tenure, he held key roles across several of the group’s flagship properties, including Executive Chef at Candia Maris Resort & Spa, Creta Maris Resort, and other 5-star properties in Crete. He has also traveled extensively to explore emerging culinary trends and refine his fine-dining techniques, including time at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. 

For the 2026 season, Santo Collection places renewed emphasis on traditional Greek cuisine rooted in modern techniques, seasonal ingredients, and the concept of sharing. Chef Koukoumtzis offers a globally informed yet distinctly Greek perspective to the collection’s dining experiences, blending contemporary techniques with flavors inspired by heritage and personal memory. 

In his new role, Chef Koukoumtzis has introduced refreshed menus that highlight local ingredients and regional traditions. Signature dishes include Tomato Fritters with Greek cheese mousse and fresh herbs at Santo Pure’s Alios Ilios Restaurant & Bar led by Head Chef Giorgos Zalokostas and Grilled Octopus with Santorini fava bean purée at Santo Mine’s Ālme Restaurant led by Head Chef Dimitris Choustoulakis. 

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Originally from Karditsa, Greece, Chef Koukoumtzis holds a diploma in culinary arts from the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki. He draws daily inspiration for Santo Collection’s culinary offerings from Santorini’s rich culinary heritage, vibrant local ingredients, and the striking beauty of the Aegean Sea.