John Stamatakis: The Greek Australian chef producing ‘authentic’ soy sauce

·

Greek Australian chef John Stamatakis has been getting creative with fermented food products, launching his own business called Mould Farmer.

Having just released his first batch of shoyu, which was 18 months in the making, John emphasises the importance of patience required in his craft.

“It is a slow process, you’re mixing it every week at least, or more often,” John told CityMag.

“Probably less than one per cent of soy sauce in Japan is still made this way. This is not the fastest or the most economical way to produce it.”

Although it may not be the ideal process for the sauce, John prefers this traditional approach.

“I am a bit of a sucker for tradition. If there’s an old school way, that’s kind of what I’m drawn to,” he said. “I’d rather lean that way than shortcut way.”

John has been plating up plates of fermented vegetables and proteins at several food stalls in Adelaide, since the brand’s debut last year. 

He received mixed responses from the crowds he’s served at Tasting Australia and the Royal Adelaide Show, but they’ve mainly been positive.

John Stamatakis (right) at Tasting Australia 2021 Photo credit: CityMag

“I think fear and curiosity, and then overwhelmingly positive from a flavour perspective,” John said.

“Even at the Royal Adelaide pop-up, there was koji all through that menu, it just wasn’t written on the menu, and people were saying ‘That’s the best steak I’ve ever had, that’s the best chicken I’ve ever had,’ and it’s because everything was marinated in koji in some way.”

Mould Farmer sells Shoyu, Hon Mirin, Beef Garum and Shoyu salt, with John currently working on a gluten-free version made using buckwheat. 

He is hoping to release a new batch of Shoyu every six months and will also add other fermented products as his business grows.

John plans on visiting Osaka, Japan, in March next year to learn how to brew Sake, which will be a future Mould Farmer project.

Source: CityMag

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Historical novel ‘Bound to Two Homelands’ launched in Melbourne and Canberra

Associate Professor Con Aroney's historical novel 'Bound to Two Homelands' launched in Melbourne and Canberra.

Giannis Antetokounmpo co-produces film set on Mykonos island

The Greek basketball superstar, already known for his ventures in energy drinks, wineries, is now adding cinema to his business repertoire.

Mystery of the 300 million euro home listed for sale near the Acropolis

A single-family home on Dionysiou Aeropagitou street, directly across from the Acropolis had been listed setting a new record.

The Economist predicts return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece by 2025

The long-standing dispute over the Parthenon sculptures, also known as thee Elgin Marbles, may see significant progress.

Meet the Greeks among Australia’s top Green Energy players

A list of the 100 Top Green Energy Players in Australia has been released, and among the names are at least two Greek Australians.

You May Also Like

Britain’s King Charles III diagnosed with cancer

King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace has revealed in a statement. Read more here.

Dr Andonis Piperoglou to lecture on Marrickville’s ‘Little Greece’

Dr Andonis Piperoglou, will deliver a lecture entitled “Launching 'Little Greece', as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars.

New 2020 Greek budget approved

The Greek Parliament passed the state budget for 2020, which aims to increase the economic growth rate and accelerate a rise in exports and investments.