A celebration of Greek culture, food and local history drew a strong crowd to Marrickville this week, as Inner West Council Libraries and the Greek Festival of Sydney co-hosted “A Culinary Event: Anyone for Spanakopita?”.
Held on April 16 at Marrickville Town Hall, the event formed part of the Heritage Festival program and explored the legacy of Greek migration in the Inner West, with a focus on the influence of Greek cuisine on Australian food culture.
Sydney high school teacher and local historian Vasilis Vasilas led the presentation, weaving together Marrickville’s Greek history with the evolution of dishes such as spanakopita. Alongside him, local cook Dina Fakas demonstrated how to prepare the traditional spinach pie from scratch.
More than 450 pieces of spanakopita were prepared and shared with attendees, with the demonstration sparking a lively question-and-answer session throughout the evening.
Among the distinguished guests was the Consul General of Greece in Sydney George Skemperis, who opened the event with remarks on food and identity, noting how Greek cuisine has evolved through global influences.
Also in attendance were Inner West Libraries Community and History Coordinator Amie Zar, who served as MC, event organiser Lysele Assaparin, as well as Greek Festival of Sydney President Sue Thliveris and Chair Pamela Proestos.
Addressing the audience, Vasilas highlighted the shared nature of food across cultures and its role in bringing people together.
“Dina and I am not here to patent spanakopita… We are not here to say Greeks made spanakopita first… because spanakopita across the Aegean Sea, in Turkey, is called ispanalk pide and in the Arab world it is called fatayer bi snakekh… tonight is about celebration of popular delicacy across Greece which is also shared across the Balkans and Mediterranean…” he said.
“Tonight is a celebration because it is over food we often introduce ourselves, it is over food we continue the discussion and negotiation, it is over food we often find solutions, resolutions and even reconciliations… food brings us together, and food has brought us together tonight…”
The evening also included lighter moments, including a surprise birthday celebration for Ms Zar, contributing to the warm and communal atmosphere.
Organisers said the event highlighted the enduring connection between Greek migration and Australia’s multicultural identity, using food as a powerful lens through which to tell that story.
*All photos supplied by Vasilis Vasilas
