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‘Food is our love language’: Chef Anna Polyviou on her influential Greek Cypriot heritage

Andriana Simos
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‘Food is our love language’: Chef Anna Polyviou on her influential Greek Cypriot heritage

Anna Polyviou. She’s the award-winning chef everyone remembers by her distinctive pink mohawk, quirky urban style and contagious fun attitude.

But how did she get to where she is today?

In an interview with The Greek Herald, Anna details how she’s always been inspired by her Greek Cypriot heritage from a very young age.

“It’s funny because everyone is always like ‘how did you get into cooking?’ and it’s like as a Greek Cypriot, I’ve always been around food,” Anna says with a laugh.

“I mean it was something we always thought about when we woke up. My mum was always like ‘what do you want to eat?’

Anna has always been inspired by her mum. Photo: Delicious Magazine / Supplied.

“All I’ve ever known is about food and eating and feasting and celebrating… It’s not like I wanted to be a chef, it kind of like just ended up being like that.”

‘Never forget where I started from’:

It’s this passion for food which has led Anna to being one of Australia’s must-loved and popular celebrity chefs with an extensive career repertoire.

Anna has not only worked in the world’s best kitchens such as the Pierre Herme Patisserie in Paris, London’s Claridge’s Hotel and the Sofitel Melbourne, but she also put the ‘hotel patisserie’ on the map as the former Creative Director of Pastry at Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney.

The chef has even released two books, Sweet Street in 2018 and Kids’ Corner in 2019, and has been a guest judge on Network 10’s TV program, MasterChef, for three years running.

Amongst it all, Anna has won a raft of awards including best dessert in the UK, as well as Australia’s Hotel Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year.

Desserts by Anna. Photos supplied.

When we ask the Greek Cypriot what these achievements mean to her, she’s as humble as ever and says it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her family.

“I never forget where I started from,” Anna says with a smile.

“When I won Victorian Apprentice of the Year… I still remember the fact that my godmother Angela and my mum were in the kitchen washing my knives, one was pressing my uniform, my godsister Georgia and her husband hired a truck to put all my equipment and utensils in there. Everyone was laughing at me because I went overboard.

Anna has always been supported by her family. Photo: Delicious Magazine / Supplied.

“But I won and that got me over to the UK and then I won another competition and that got me to Paris and then I came back and I won another competition that got me to the US.

“So all these different opportunities but opportunities that I’m forever grateful for. I never take them from a grain of salt.”

Moving past disappointment:

Of course though, with every opportunity comes a number of setbacks as well and in Anna’s case, her hardest challenge to date has been letting go of her dream of opening her first-ever patisserie shop in Sydney’s inner west.

The Greek Herald first reported on the opening of Anna’s patisserie shop in the old Cornersmith building in Marrickville in February this year.

But now, Anna says, the business deal fell through.

“I mean I love Marrickville and I love the locals. The community is amazing but unfortunately, it just didn’t work out,” she says.

“I was in a bit of a dark place… It was really hard because there were a lot of people behind [the shop], working on it and then everyone was waiting for it and then it just didn’t happen. I was very depressed.”

Despite this, Anna is determined to pick herself up and look into opening another Sydney shop that will be ‘bigger’ and ‘more brand new,’ whilst also continuing to work on producing her premium cookie dough.

Anna is moving forward.

“We are looking at a new shop but it’s going to be a very different concept. Mum will be part of it in different elements. She will definitely be doing masterclasses. We will be doing workshops with Greek pastries and desserts and degustations as well,” the chef says.

With this exciting development on the agenda, we just had to ask Anna what keeps her motivated in the face of hardships and her answer is simple.

“Food is our love language,” she concludes.

“You know, we have hurdles, we have obstacles. I mean how exciting is it moving forward? It’s so cool and I think my number one fan is my mother and the Greek community has been fantastic as well.”

READ MORE: Chef Anna Polyviou shares her favourite artefacts from the ‘Open Horizons’ exhibition.

Reports allege ex-NSW minister Eleni Petinos met with Barilaro-linked developer

The Greek Herald
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Reports allege ex-NSW minister Eleni Petinos met with Barilaro-linked developer

A meeting between recently sacked NSW Minister for Small Business and Fair Trading, Eleni Petinos, and former Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, threaten to cause further headaches for the NSW government amid ongoing enquiries into Barilaro’s appointment to a lucrative US trade job.

According to new ministerial diaries published on Tuesday, Petinos met with representatives of Sydney-based development company, Coronation Property, on June 2 and 21, with Barilaro present for the latter meeting.

At the time, the company had been hit with a stop-work order at their $500 million development in Sydney’s western suburb of Merrylands.

On July 4, the stop-work order was lifted at the 790-apartment development.

An artist’s impression of the Coronation Property high-rise development at Merrylands

As recorded in Petinos’ diary, the June meetings were related to “fair trading building related matters”.

Mr Barilaro, who had been working with Coronation Property as an executive director since his resignation from politics in October 2021, said the function on June 21 was to celebrate his appointment as the state’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner (STIC) to the Americas.

He has since withdrawn from that appointment, with the recruitment process currently at the centre of a parliamentary inquiry.

“I attended a social engagement with the former minister to celebrate my appointment to the STIC Americas job,” Mr Barilaro told The Guardian.

“I was no longer an employee of Coronation. I did not meet with the minister during my time with Coronation.”

Petinos, who was sacked last month after accusations of bullying, maintains she had no involvement with the lifting of the stop-work order, and it was a decision made by the Office of the Building Commissioner.

“The issuing and revocation of stop-work orders is a matter for the Building Commissioner, not the minister,” she said in a statement.

An artist’s impression of the high-rise development containing 790 units at Merrylands

Petinos added the 21 June meeting with Barilaro was “social in nature” and was only disclosed as part of her ministerial diary “out of an abundance of caution”.

Yesterday, Premier Dominic Perrottet was pressed about the fresh revelations by Labor MP Sophie Cotsis in Parliament.

“Premier, what action will you take to investigate revelations … that John Barilaro met with the Minister for Fair Trading while representing his then employer, Coronation Group, after Mr Barilaro told the parliamentary inquiry yesterday that no such meeting occurred?” MP Cotsis asked.

Mr Perrottet responded that he would seek the “requisite advice”.

SOURCE: The Guardian

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece to victory against Spain in friendly match

The Greek Herald
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Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece to victory against Spain in friendly match

NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points, leading the Greek national team to an 86-70 win against Spain in a friendly this morning at the indoor Athens Olympic Stadium, before 16,000.

In the 20 minutes he played, the Milwaukee Bucks star made seven of 10 free throws, 9 of 10 two-pointers and two of three three-pointers. He also had 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Speaking to AFP with regards to the friendly and the upcoming EuroBasket championship, Greece’s head coach, Dimitris Itoudis said: “Giannis is a special case. He came very focused and with great appetite and great will.”

This morning’s game marks his 50th appearance with the Greek team and he gained his highest points performance ever with the Greek squad, topping his previous 26-point score.

Giannis played alongside his two brothers, with Kostas scoring seven points and Thanasis scoring three points. It was expected that the four brothers would be playing together, however youngest brother Alex was cut from the team last week.

Greece will meet Spain again on Thursday in Madrid in preparation for their 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Belgium later this month.

On September 1, EuroBasket 2022 commences and Greece will compete in Group C alongside Estonia, Ukraine, Britain, Italy and Croatia.

Greek President calls for investigation into PASOK leader’s phone tapping

The Greek Herald
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Greek President calls for investigation into PASOK leader’s phone tapping

Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, has called for an investigation into the tapping of PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis’ phone by the nation’s intelligence service (EYP).

PASOK is Greece’s third-largest political party and was for decades the main political rival of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s conservative party, New Democracy.

The phone tapping scandal broke last week amid growing concern in the EU about the use of spyware software and has sparked uproar amongst opposition parties in Greece. Mitsotakis has since said he was unaware of the phone tap, describing it as a mistake that should have never occurred.

In a statement on Tuesday, President Sakellaropoulou said that protecting the right to privacy was “a fundamental condition of a democratic and liberal society” and that respect for democracy transcends politics.

Whilst invasions of privacy by intelligence services are constitutional for reasons of national security, she said it is an exemption that should be interpreted narrowly and in strict circumstances.

Pointing to the investigation, she said: “It requires the immediate and complete clarification of the case of telephone monitoring, as well as the shielding of the operation of the National Intelligence Service.”

This comes as the European Commission has called the illegal surveillance of citizens by intelligence services “unacceptable”, and called for an investigation into the tapping of Androulakis’ phone.

Greek President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, EU Commission spokeswoman on home affairs, migration and internal security, Anitta Hipper said the Commission was aware of the reports.

“Our position is clear. Any attempt by national security services to illegally access data of citizens, including journalists and political opponents, if confirmed, is unacceptable,” Hipper said.

“Member states are responsible for protecting their national security and must supervise and control their security services to ensure that they fully respect fundamental rights. This is absolutely essential to ensure the protection of personal data and the safety of journalists and freedom of expression,” she said.

Hipper said it is the responsibility of each member state to investigate such matters, adding that “the Commission expects national authorities to thoroughly investigate any such allegation in order to restore public confidence.”

SOURCE: Reuters

Turkey sends new drill ship to eastern Mediterranean

The Greek Herald
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Turkey sends new drill ship to eastern Mediterranean

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, inaugurated the country’s newest and largest undersea hydrocarbon drill ship on Tuesday and said it was heading northwest of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.

Erdogan said the Abdülhamid Han drillship would operate 55km off Turkey’s coast in an area within the country’s sovereign territory.

“The survey and drilling work we are conducting in the Mediterranean are within our sovereign territory. We do not need to receive permission or consent from anyone for this,” he said at a ceremony to launch the ship in Turkey’s coastal Mersin province.

This is the first time since September 2020 when Turkey withdrew their Yavuz drill ship from contested waters, that the country will be sending a drill ship to the eastern Mediterranean.

News of the drilling late last month, prior to the precise location being known, was met with disapproval from Greek and Cypriot officials, with Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides dubbing it “a crescendo of harsh and provocative rhetoric” from Ankara.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Erdogan made an apparent reference to Greece, Cyprus and their Western allies.

“Neither the puppets nor the ones who hold their strings will be able to prevent us from getting our rights in the Mediterranean,” he said.

Greek government spokesperson, Giannis Oikonomou told reporters on Tuesday that Athens is monitoring the situation carefully.

“We need to be vigilant … We’ve always been doing what we have to do to have stability in our region and to fully defend international law and our own sovereign rights,” Oikonomou said.

Turkey’s three other drilling ships: Fatih, Kanuni and Yavuz are currently conducting operations in the Black Sea where Turkey discovered natural gas reserves. All four ships are named after Ottoman sultans.

SOURCE: AP NEWS

Eleni Papavasileiou’s journey to becoming a Senior Curator at the Jewish Museum of Australia

Chris Spyrou
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Eleni Papavasileiou’s journey to becoming a Senior Curator at the Jewish Museum of Australia

“I think that once you find something that is yours and you care for it, it doesn’t feel like a chore. Follow that path with excitement and enthusiasm and things will start happening naturally.”

These words belong to Eleni Papavasileiou – the Senior Curator and Collection Manager of the Jewish Museum of Australia in Melbourne.

Born and raised in Athens, Eleni says her fascination with museums was born of an “itch” to explore what the world of arts and culture had to offer.

“I guess 25 or so years ago there was something itching in me, telling me that ‘you must see, you must learn, go to the museums and galleries of the world and see what is happening out there’,” she tells The Greek Herald.

“I wanted to experience all of that firsthand.”

It’s an itch that saw Eleni at 18 years of age leave Greece for the United Kingdom to complete her Bachelor of Photography and Visual Communication at Birmingham City University. It was here she found herself continuing her travels abroad and “completely absorbed by the museum sector.”

“It was through volunteering and short-term contract jobs that I decided this was the sector I’d like to invest more of my learning and time in,” she says.

Eleni Papavasileiou working in Bristol, England at the Brunel Institute. Photo: Supplied to TGH

Three years after doing an exchange in the United States, Eleni moved to Sweden in 2002, enrolling in her Master’s in International Museum Studies at the University of Gothenburg.

When I ask how her parents coped with their daughter travelling the world, she lets out a laugh: “Like many Greek parents, they supported me because you’re allowed to go out and venture when it’s for education.”

Speaking about her time at the Swedish University, she said: “There was a component within that course to undertake an internship within a museum from anywhere around the world.”

“I completed mine in Sydney in 2004 and that was my first contact with Australia.”

This contact would grow further upon returning to Europe where Eleni met her partner Darren, who is from Western Australia. The couple share a son, Artem, who was born in the United Kingdom.

Eleni Papavasileiou pictured with partner Darren and son Artem. Photo: Supplied to TGH

“He loves that he has three passports,” Eleni says.

“It’s amazing to see that shift in younger people accepting diversity in their identity and not trying to conceal it or being embarrassed by it.”

The overlap between Greek and Jewish history

Moving to Melbourne in 2017 with her partner and son, Eleni secured her role as the Senior Curator and Collection Manager at the Jewish Museum of Australia.

Pointing to the mission of the museum, Eleni says: “Our remits is to illuminate Jewish life and to really share stories that speak to the Australian Jewish experience from the very first Jewish people that came to this country from the First Fleet in 1788 up until today.”

Senior Curator and Collection Manager of the Jewish Museum of Australia, Eleni Papavasileiou. Photo: Supplied to TGH

While the curatorial role requires Eleni to research, handle and take care of museum objects, it is also one that offers her tangible points of connection to her Greek heritage.

“One of our galleries looks at the span of Jewish history and culture dating back to ancient times so there’s that obvious cross-over,” she says.

“We also have a couple of objects from Greek Jews from Thessaloniki who had to leave Greece during the second world war and found themselves in Australia. It’s really beautiful to find those traces in Australia.”

Being part of the conversation

Speaking more broadly on the role of museums in the digital age, Eleni says: “There are so many other ways people receive information nowadays but certainly what we offer is an experience.”

“An experience that allows visitors to connect with a real artefact from a real time and place and really bring them into that world. I think that’s where the value of the sector and the magic of the experience lies,” she adds.

Eleni Papavasileiou speaking at the opening of ‘HELMUT NEWTON IN FOCUS’ at the Jewish Museum of Australia. Photo: Marie Luise Skibbe

As to her advice for women following a similar professional path, she says: “It’s important to be true to yourself.”

“Ultimately it’s our knowledge, how we are with people and how good we are at our job that counts. You have to do your very best and sometimes even better than your male counterpart, which is unfortunate.

“Be there, be present and be part of the conversation.”

READ MORE: NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO, Vic Alhadeff, on his passion for Greek causes

Greek, Turkish and Lebanese musicians join forces to bring the Songs of Anatolia to Sydney

The Greek Herald
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Greek, Turkish and Lebanese musicians join forces to bring the Songs of Anatolia to Sydney

Greek, Turkish and Lebanese musicians are joining forces on Friday, August 12 for the much-anticipated Songs of Anatolia concert at the Sydney Opera House.

The concert will feature Byron Triandafyllidis (vocals and bouzouki), Ayşe Göknur Shanal (vocals), Cüneyt Çakmak (kanun) and George El-Azar (percussion), and they will be bringing the music of Anatolia, the region where Europe and Asia meet, to the audience.

In an interview with The Greek Herald, Triandafyllidis says he’s looking forward to the performance in Sydney because the collaboration has been in the works for a while.

Byron Triandafyllidis.

“I met Ayşe through George, the percussionist. She was visiting Melbourne at the time and I was doing a performance of Greek music at Queen Victoria Markets,” Triandafyllidis explains.

“I knew a few common songs from Turkey and Greece so I got her up to sing a few and she did and that’s basically how it all started.”

Triandafyllidis says the concert will incorporate his interest in rebetika and Asia Minor, as well as give him a chance to get in touch with his ancestral roots which are from Constantinople and Thrace.

“It’s an important concert because we live in a multicultural society and… for social cohesion as well, just to know where some of our heritage came from,” he adds.

For her part, Ayşe tells The Greek Herald the concert will share a repertoire of music “that doesn’t leave anybody out from Anatolia.”

Ayşe Göknur Shanal.

“It will be really, really interesting for the audience. There is so much body of repertoire from different parts that haven’t even been explored yet and we will do that,” she concludes, while encouraging everyone to attend.

To find out more about the Songs of Anatolia concert, visit this website.

New Zealand’s last surviving Battle of Crete veteran passes away

The Greek Herald
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New Zealand’s last surviving Battle of Crete veteran passes away

New Zealand’s last surviving veteran of the Battle of Crete during World War II has died at the age of 104.

According to the Otago Daily Times, Cyril Henry Brant Robinson, known as Brant, passed away at Whangamata Moana House retirement home on Sunday.

Former president of the NZ Battle of Crete Association, Paul London, believes that Brant was the last Kiwi veteran of the Battle of Crete.

The Battle of Crete.

Who was Staff Sergeant Brant?

Staff Sergeant Brant arrived on Crete in 1941 with the advance party to set up camp and was captured by the rampaging Germans on June 1, 1941 at Souda Bay.

Force-marched for days without food and little water, he was kept in a POW camp on Crete for seven weeks before being taken to Nazi Germany.

He was imprisoned at Stalag VIII-B Lamsdorf, before being moved to Stalag 8B Teschen for three months, then Stalag 383 Hohenfels.

By early 1945, Brant was one of thousands of men forced to march west on the Death March Across Germany. He was finally liberated by advancing American troops.

Source: Otago Daily Times.

Christine Sideris shares her advice for mature aged job seekers

The Greek Herald
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Christine Sideris shares her advice for mature aged job seekers

The “great resignation” phenomenon brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a number of industries such as healthcare, cleaning and hospitality, welcoming more mature aged job seekers.

One of these workers is 60-year-old disability support worker, Christine Sideris, who changed careers later in life.

In an interview with The Advertiser, Christine detailed how she was forced to give up her dream of being a hairdresser after suffering a debilitating shoulder injury as a retail worker in 1991.

Christine has taken on a role as an allied health worker at disability service provider .

She found work as a school services officer but 12 years later resigned to care for her sick father full-time.

Now 60, Christine has taken on a role as an allied health worker at disability service provider HenderCare in May.

“I feel fulfilled because I know I’m giving back to the community,” she told the newspaper. “You’re never too old and if you believe in yourself everything and anything is possible.”

Source: The Advertiser.

Greek Australian Emmanuel Pavlis signs with GD Chaves in Portugal

The Greek Herald
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Greek Australian Emmanuel Pavlis signs with GD Chaves in Portugal

By Bill Roumeliotis.

Greek Australian Emmanuel Pavlis has signed with 1st division Portuguese football club, Grupo Desportivo de Chaves (commonly known as GD Chaves).

In a statement on Facebook, GD Chaves wrote that Pavlis is a “fast winger, with a lot of room for development.”

The 19-year-old used to play for the Sydney Olympic FC junior league and has played internationally with the Under 17 national team of Australia.

Pavlis has also competed with Apollon Larissa, Kallithea and Aigaleo, as well as in the academies of Olympiakos.

In a post on Twitter, Pavlis wrote that he is “happy” to have signed with his new club and he is “looking forward to the new challenge ahead.”

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