The Greek Herald is proud to once again collaborate with the Antipodes Festival in 2026 to present ‘Flavours of Greece’ – a vibrant culinary showcase celebrating the depth, heritage and evolving story of Greek gastronomy in Australia.
Set in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic Greek Precinct, ‘Flavours of Greece’ will bring together leading chefs, growers, producers and hospitality names for a dynamic program of live cooking demonstrations, curated tastings and flavour-led experiences that highlight both tradition and contemporary Greek dining.
From village-inspired recipes passed down through generations to modern interpretations shaping Hellenic cuisine today, ‘Flavours of Greece’ promises to be a standout feature of the 2026 festival program.
Here’s a closer look at the Greek foodies who will be bringing their expertise, creativity, and love of Greek gastronomy to Antipodes 2026.
Kathy Tsaples | Sweet Greek
Kathy Tsaples is a renowned Greek chef, cookbook author and the proud owner of the Sweet Greek Shop at Prahran Market. In 2016, she was awarded the HACCI Award for business excellence for her contribution to food and hospitality. Her vision to share her love for food and Hellenic culture is at the heart of everything she does, inviting everyone to experience Greek cuisine for themselves.
A wife, mother and cancer survivor, Kathy has much to be thankful for and doesn’t take anything for granted, especially life. Born in Richmond during a new wave of multicultural migration in the 1950s and 60s, she learned to cook traditional Greek dishes from her mother – recipes that have been passed down through generations and are deeply engrained with culture and spirit. “My food is a celebration of life,” she says.
Alongside running her shop and teaching Greek cooking masterclasses, Kathy has appeared as a guest chef on television programs, bringing her culinary journey and favourite recipes to a wider audience. Sweet Greek also offers specialist catering and features two cookbooks, Sweet Greek: Simple Food & Sumptuous Feasts and Sweet Greek Life: My Shared Table, celebrating everyday Greek home food and gatherings.
At ‘Flavours of Greece’, Kathy will lead a live cooking demonstration, sharing time-honoured recipes and the stories behind them.
Nick Gnafakis | Nikos Gardens
“My name is Nicholas Gnafakis, and I was born in Melbourne, Australia, with a proud Greek heritage,” Niko says. After more than ten years working in top-end kitchens, his passion for Greek cooking led to a gardening revelation that changed his life and career.
In his early years, Nick was inspired by his Pappou’s garden – filled with herbs and greens unlike anything he had used in professional kitchens. With his grandfather’s guidance, he began propagating these plants at home, later realising most were native to Crete and unknown in Australia.
From rare Greek herbs and mountain teas to wild medicinal greens and heirloom vegetables, Niko now grows and shares an extraordinary range of Greek plants that connect food, culture and community. His deep love for Greek gardens, foraging traditions and cultural knowledge continues to guide his work through Niko’s Garden – a project rooted in heritage, passion and education.
Nick will present a live demonstration highlighting the importance of traditional Greek herbs and garden-grown produce in contemporary cooking.
Angie Giannakoudakis | Taverna
With a career spanning hospitality, food consulting and cultural advocacy, Angie Giannakoudakis has dedicated herself to showcasing the richness of Greek cuisine and traditions in Australia. Known for her deep knowledge of Greek gastronomy and innovative approach to food and drink experiences, she has worked across renowned venues, championing authentic ingredients, traditional techniques and thoughtful modern interpretations of Hellenic flavours.
As the driving force behind Taverna in Brunswick East, Angie has helped shape a dining space that blends heritage with refinement – celebrating seasonal produce, Greek-focused wines and convivial hospitality rooted in culture and connection. Her work consistently reflects a belief that food is not just sustenance, but storytelling – a way to honour migration, memory and shared tables.
Beyond the restaurant floor, Angie is a respected consultant and creative collaborator within the industry, working on projects that elevate Mediterranean-inspired hospitality and bring Greek food culture to broader audiences. Whether curating menus, developing immersive dining concepts or contributing to major cultural events, she brings a distinct energy and authenticity to every platform she steps onto.
Angie will be joined on stage by Taverna’s Head Chef, Maria Delengas, for a live cooking demonstration.
Chef de Cuisine Maria Delengas has worked at some of Australia’s most celebrated venues including árkhe, Movida Aqui, Nido, Bloom and most recently Pirate Life South Melbourne. Driven by a passion for open-flame cooking, it is at these venues that Maria established her style – heavily inspired by her Greek upbringing. Bringing over 18 years of professional experience to Taverna, Maria is deeply committed to delivering an honest and authentic dining experience.
Stalactites Restaurant
Established in 1978 in the heart of Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street Greek Precinct, Stalactites Restaurant is more than a dining venue – it is a cultural landmark. A cornerstone of Melbourne’s Greek Quarter for nearly five decades, the family-owned restaurant has served generations of Melburnians with authentic Greek food, day and night.
Stalactites opened on Lonsdale Street in 1978, when the Konstandakopoulos family laid the tiles, marinated the meat and worked the ovens themselves. Built for the Greek community that had settled around Melbourne’s CBD in the postwar decades, the restaurant quickly became a gathering place for anyone who needed a meal at any hour, feeding shift workers, students, taxi drivers and families across almost five decades of continuous service.
Almost fifty years later, on the same corner with the same recipes, the restaurant is led by Nicole Konstandakopoulos and remains grounded in philoxenia – welcoming everyone to the table, day and night. The menu draws on family recipes passed down from grandmothers in Southern Greece and Asia Minor, built around seasonal ingredients, classic techniques and patience.
Family-owned and operated, Stalactites has built its reputation on authentic, honest Greek food that reflects the flavours of the homeland. From chargrilled souvlaki and traditional gyros carved fresh from the spit, to house-made dips, spanakopita, grilled seafood and classic Mediterranean meze, the menu celebrates the simplicity and boldness of regional Greek cooking. Signature plates such as slow-cooked lamb, fresh pita, and generous shared platters have become synonymous with the Melbourne Greek dining experience.
Head Chef Evangelos Liadellis, originally from Lemnos, Greece, brings a self-taught creativity and deep passion for Greek cooking to the kitchen. With a love for the energy of a busy service, he continues to honour the restaurant’s legacy while ensuring its flavours remain vibrant and authentic.
Stalactites is also the sister restaurant to Hella Good, the modern Greek food brand with locations in Melbourne CBD and Chadstone, extending the family’s hospitality into a contemporary fast-casual format.
At ‘Flavours of Greece’, the restaurant will take to the stage to represent this enduring legacy, with further details to be confirmed.
Olive & Thyme Catering
Olive & Thyme Catering was founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Ilias and Renee Patsiaouras, after self-catering their daughter’s christening and recognising a gap in the Melbourne market for beautifully presented, handcrafted food that tastes like it was made at home. What began as a personal celebration quickly evolved into a fully booked business within weeks of launching on social media – a testament to both demand and quality.
Drawing on third-generation family recipes – many once served in Ilias’ family restaurant in Germany – Olive & Thyme has built its reputation on food that is generous, visually abundant and deeply rooted in Mediterranean tradition. Operating from a commercial kitchen in Clayton South, the team caters for intimate private gatherings through to large-scale corporate events and weddings, servicing functions of up to 2,000 guests.
Known particularly for their curated grazing tables, artisan finger foods, rustic shared spreads and vibrant presentation, Olive & Thyme has become synonymous with celebratory hospitality. Their work reflects a philosophy centred on quality ingredients, thoughtful styling and food designed to bring people together – honouring the Greek ethos of filoxenia through modern catering experiences.
At ‘Flavours of Greece’, Olive & Thyme will showcase their signature food styling approach in a live presentation.
Hellenic Wines & Spirits
Hellenic Wine & Spirits, formerly Tirnavos Imports, was founded in Melbourne in 1994 by Archie Tsoukras after he struggled to find quality Greek products locally, prompting him to import Ouzo and other Greek favourites directly. Today it remains a family-owned business dedicated to bringing the finest Greek wines, spirits, beers and food products to the Australian market, representing sought-after producers from regions across Greece.
Renowned for sourcing premium Assyrtiko, Xinomavro and other classic varietals, as well as traditional spirits such as Tsipouro, Ouzo and Mastiha, Hellenic Wines & Spirits champion Greece’s rich drinking culture across cafés, bars, restaurants and retailers nationwide.
At ‘Flavours of Greece’, Hellenic Wines & Spirits will collaborate with Taverna for a dedicated cocktail demonstration celebrating the breadth of Greece’s wine and spirit heritage.
Flavours of Greece
Across the weekend, ‘Flavours of Greece’ will be a feast not just for the stomach, but for the soul – honouring migration legacies, family recipes, regional identity and the living culture of Greek food in Australia. Further culinary names and program highlights are expected to be confirmed as the festival approaches.
All chefs and collaborators will appear across the weekend on the #LoveLonsdale stage as part of the Antipodes Festival program.
Antipodes Festival 2026 is being held at Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, on Saturday, February 28 to Sunday, March 1, 2026. ‘Flavours of Greece’ cooking demonstrations are running over both days, proudly supported by The Greek Herald. For more details visit: www.antipodesfestival.com.au
