The remains of seven Greek soldiers who lost their lives during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 were returned to Greece Thursday.
Their remains were loaded onto a C-130 military plane at Larnaca airport with their relatives and Greek defence minister Nikolaos Hardalias in attendance.
“I am here to receive my brother’s remains and take them back to Greece,” said Angeliki Karagouni, sister of reserve warrant officer Charalambos Karagounis, who was among the seven.
“I am very moved, but also proud, that my brother is a hero.”
Karagouni last saw her brother when she was 14 years old. She said his absence has been painful ever since.
“I learned that the remains I’m getting show he was taken as a prisoner, abused and executed.”
“I feel proud to be taking my brother home to his birthplace,” she said.
Relatives of the soldiers received medals of honours at the ceremony.
Six of the soldiers were stationed in Eldyk, the Hellenic Force in Cyprus, and the seventh in Noratlas, the military aircraft shot down in Nicosia.
Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou said 77 other Greek citizens on their list remain missing, with 47 unaccounted for.
The Crows selected Rachele on Thursday as pick 6 in Wednesday night’s AFL draft.
Rachele, 18, is a Greek-Italian-Australian from Shepparton and tells AFC Media the Crows are now his “second family”.
“To see how welcoming the Adelaide Crows are, my family is very comfortable with me heading here,” Rachele said.
(Photo: Rodney Braithwaite)
The midfielder shared the moment with his parents Michelle and Jason, younger twin brothers Isaac and Lucas, grandma Elizabeth, grandpa James, and Nonno Dominique.
“They were all very proud and happy for me and it was good to spend that moment with them,” Rachele said.
“They’ve been massive and very influential over the past few years and I am very grateful for them.”
Rachele’s father, of Italian heritage, works on the family’s third-generation commercial orchid in Shepparton, while his mother is Greek.
(Photo: via AFC)
“Every single year we make tomato sauce with all my uncles and cousins,” Rachele said. “Then we make salami as well – they are the two big traditions that we keep going.”
“I’ll definitely bring some of my sauce down for sure.”
Rachele is keen to head to West Lakes and get stuck into pre-season.
“I think I can bring that spark and excitement to the Crows but there’s a long way to go yet,” he said.
Pope Francis is arranging to transfer a number of migrants to Italy from Cyprus, ahead of his visit next week.
Cypriot government spokesman Marios Pelekanos has confirmed the Vatican is now making arrangements with Cypriot authorities.
There are no specifics yet as to how many migrants will leave the island or about the logistics of their trip.
The pope made headlines in 2016 when he brought a dozen Syrian Muslims back with him aboard his return flight to Rome from Lesbos.
Cyprus is currently seeking European Union approval to stop processing asylum claims from migrants amid a surge of new arrivals.
They also ask the EU to relocate a number of asylum seekers in Cyprus to other member countries of the bloc and strike agreements with third countries to take back their citizens who have had their asylum applications rejected.
Cypriot authorities say in just the first ten months of this yer, migrant arrivals were up 38% compared to all of 2020.
Of the 10,868 new arrivals, 9,270 illegally crossed a United Nations-controlled buffer zone from the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north to seek asylum in the internationally recognized south.
Asylum seekers comprise 4% of the population in the island’s south — four times the average of other EU front-line states.
Migrants say conditions at a reception camp just outside the Cypriot capital Nicosia are deteriorating since it currently houses nearly double its maximum capacity of 1,200 people.
Schadrach Mvunze from the Democratic Republic of Congo said what he and others at the camp want is somewhere where they can live in peace, whether it’s in Cyprus or elsewhere.
“Cyprus has welcomed us … If they are unable to welcome us, they can also even send us perhaps to France, to Canada, to England,” Mvunze told The Associated Press, which visited the camp on Thursday. “They can scatter us all over Europe to make us more comfortable.”
Nigerian Daniel Idu who crossed from the breakaway north to apply for international protection in the south said all he asks is a chance to lift his aging mother and young son out of grinding poverty.
“If I have the opportunity to meet with the pope, I will ask for just one thing and that is to settle here and probably have a better job to support my family,” he said.
If you are heading to a Greek wedding or private function and Iho Nyx band is the main entertainment, you know you are in for a fun night. The dynamic Greek band can play multiple instruments and styles of music, ensuring they are able to cater for the broad range of Greece’s musical heritage.
In fact, that’s exactly what they did when they performed live on The Greek Herald’s Facebook page to entertain our readers during lockdown. Their performance was so well received we just had to find out more about them from band member, Adoni Petrandonakis.
1. Tell us a little bit about Iho Nyx band.
Iho Nyx (Sound of the Night in ancient Greek) was formed by Angelo Goutzios and I in 2008, initially focusing on traditional Cretan music and entehna. We quickly broadened our repertoire to include most genres of Greek music including contemporary, traditional music from the islands and mainland Greece.
We perform at festivals all over Australia and New Zealand, weddings, private functions, events at restaurants, tribute shows and support international artists. A number of us in the band can play multiple instruments and this allows us to really cater for the broad range of our rich musical heritage.
As a group, we’re very good friends and share common vision in music. We perceive our role in maintaining and evolving our cultural heritage as a duty and take pride in always presenting a quality and refined product.
In its present form, Iho Nyx comprises of the following members:
Adoni Petrandonakis: Cretan heritage. 42 and a father of 3, Airline Pilot / Mortgage Broker (Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Aviation Management). Vocalist, Lyra, Guitar, Lute, Mandolin, Baglama and Tzoura and music teaching experience. Trained to play the Lyra in Crete from the age of 9, Adoni performed in Crete and Cyprus up to the age of 20 when he moved back to Sydney.
Angelo Goutzios: Heritage from Crete and Halkidiki, 35 and a father of 2, Real Estate agent, Vocals, Lute, Bouzouki with music teaching experience and DJ. Started playing the bouzouki at the age of 7 and inspired by his cousin, Manos Pyrovolakis, progressed onto the Cretan Lute after the age of 13.
Andrew Kalogeropoulos: Heritage from the Peloponese and Cyprus, 39, father of 2, Physiotherapist (Bachelor of Physiotherapy) and owner of Midas Touch Physiotherapy. Vocalist, Keyboards (classically trained starting at the age of 8) with recording and production experience for television shows and aspiring artists.
George Ganakas: Karya, Ellasonas (Mt Olympus), 57yo, father of 2, owner of Bass Gear Direct. Bass guitarist with over 45 years experience performing with local and overseas artists. George’s grandfather played flamenco guitar and his father, the bouzouki. George thrives on the energy and intensity of Cretan music and enjoys the versatility and wide range of genre’s covered by Iho Nyx.
Themi Ioakimidis: Pontian heritage, 33yo, a music tutor at St. Spyridon College (Bachelor of Business and Commerce & a Bachelor of Music). Vocalist, Guitarist, Bouzouki & Bass guitar. Themi started playing at the age of 10 and has been active in the Greek scene for over 10 years supporting famous Greek artists such as Dimitris Basis, Nikos Kourkoulis and Stathis Aggelopoulos. Themi is also an integral member of the resident band at Steki Taverna.
Foti Lambis: Rhodes and Cretan heritage. 42 and father of 1, Café Manager with undergraduate studies in Electrical/Computer Technology. Inspired by his father who was also a drummer, Foti enrolled into music theory and drum lessons at the age of 8. Experienced in studio session recordings and supporting former Australian Idol contestants.
We’re also routinely joined by George Paradisis (bouzouki), Nathan Pylarinos (bouzouki), Matina Kokkalis (vocalist), Jim Tsolakis (clarinet) and Savvas Iordanou (drums).
2.Do you have any musical highlights or performances which made an impact on you?
We’ve supported numerous Greek artists (amongst others: Glykeria, Hatziyianni, Lekkas, Pyrovolakis) which is always a novelty. However, our most memorable performances include:
Our 2018 Pyx Lax tribute show at the Factory Theatre that was part of the 2018 Greek Festival of Sydney – a sell-out event which meant a lot to us as it was a Sydney-first.
Our NYE event in Darwin last year which, due to the absence of all restrictions in the NT, was the largest Greek NYE event in the world.
We have also performed at events in the Sydney Opera House which is always awe-inspiring experience.
3.What do you love the most about performing?
We cover music from most parts of Greece from all eras. This allows us to reproduce all our favourite songs and provides opportunities for us to discover new combinations of instruments and sounds, creating a fusion that makes our “feel” as a group so unique.
A Cretan syrto can be followed by a Tsamiko, a Zeimbekiko, a Nisiotiko or a modern Greek song. We thrive on regularly renewing our repertoire and connecting as best we can with our audience.
4. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
In days gone by, there were a number of live Greek bands in Australia. This isn’t the case anymore and we all feel the need to ensure that our music industry stays alive and to preserve our musical heritage.
Australia has excellent Greek musicians that are willing to pass on their knowledge and I encourage everyone with an interest in music to reach out and start exploring their hidden talent.
For up-to-date information on where we’re performing next, follow us online at ihonyx.com or search for “Iho Nyx Band” on most social media platforms. We have a number of shows leading up to this year’s NYE event to welcome 2022.
The famous provocateur of France’s literary scene, “enfant terrible”, Michel Welbeck wrote in “Map and Territory” that: “life gives us a chance at some stage. If we are cowardly or undecided to seize it, life takes back its cards”.
There comes a time, when we need to do something to approach a potential happiness. This moment lasts a few days or even a few months, yet it occurs once.”
For Kiki Tsakaldimi, the first Greek woman to attempt to reach Everest, this opportunity appeared in 2014. In a “TEDx Thessaloniki”, where she heard the speech of Indian, Satyabrata Dam about the mountains.
Perhaps, imperceptibly, the memories of her dead dreams flooded her. “Until then I thought life had a roof. I had my job, my everyday life my friends. And then, suddenly, I heard his speech, which changed my life” says Kiki, who recently after the relaxation of restrictive measures climbed to the highest peak in Europe, Mt Elbrus, for a good cause. To raise awareness about lung cancer.
Her last ascent was the reason to converse with The Greek Herald and it became possible thanks to that speech, which was imprinted in her, like the trace left upon soft wax. Forever.
“It’s shocking that with a speech he convinced me that I can manage everything. That’s where the key to success is found. You have to believe in yourself. Today I believe that I can achieve everything” says Kiki, who lives permanently in Alexandroupolis and from there she makes her plans to conquer the highest peaks of the world.
The epiphany of that day had continued. The flame had been kindled in Kiki Tsakaldimi’s soul. So, she found the legend of mountaineering, Satyabrata Dam and asked him for help her change her life.
“Satya became my teacher, my coach, my guide in all the mountaineering expeditions that I have done to date,” says Kiki, who in 2017 decided to tackle the beast.
That large creature that can crush your dreams if you’re not careful…Everest…
Faced with fears in the vastness of Everest
She envisioned peaks unfolding in her eyes while dreaming in Alexandroupolis, and her goal of becoming the first Greek woman to reach the summit of Everest began to take shape. Although there was no mountaineering background, in collaboration with Satya Dam, a preparation plan was created, which involved mountain climbing.
The greatest difficulty, however, was the raising of the money required. “I was beaten by the goal but it did not deter me. Difficulties are our friends. A lot of money was required to go there and despite the distrust I managed to find the funds needed because I was determined, ” says Kiki, the personification of optimism and a woman, who goes beyond her limits.
The days passed and in 2017, Kiki hovered in absolute vacuum, with minimal oxygen, with a temperature of -60 C and winds at 110 km. per hour. On Everest she was faced with her fears.
“A mistake there could put an end to your life. There is so much fatigue accumulated in your body that you have to be perfectly focused and attentive to the slightest movement.
They are the dead bodies you see on the steep slope, of climbers who did not respect the mountain and paid for it with their lives.
Death is around you, but you stay perfectly focused, disciplining every command of your guide” says Kiki Tsakaldimi in the” Greek Herald”.
The collapse of the dream
It was May 23, 2017. At a height of 8.250 meters when Satya Dam instructed the Greek mountaineer that it would be wiser to return back and not put their lives in greater risk.
“Emotions flooded in. Everything collapsed inside me. The dream I had was not fulfilled. Disappointment, sadness for a short time but also pride because I was the first Greek woman to reach such a height.
When I returned back I felt all-powerful, but retaining in me humility. I came back with the feeling that after I managed to get there, nothing can bend me”, notes Kiki Tsakaldimi
Disappointment became fuel for the sequel and in October 2018 Kiki Tsakaldimi, supporting the “Smile of the Child” climbed the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and became the first Greek climber to step on the summit of Ochos del Salado (6,893 m.) of the Andes in Chile, where there is also the highest volcano on Earth.
Cancer awareness and Australia
In Alexandroupolis, where she lives permanently, she remains alert, with the actions continuing less with mountaineering, but with more hiking.
A few weeks ago Kiki Tsakaldimi climbed Elbrus, Russia, the highest peak in Europe, on behalf of “FairLife L.C.C.”, an organization against lung cancer with the slogan “Only Life Is Breathtaking”.
“It was a climb certainly not easy. The conditions were not favourable but the purpose gave us impetus” says Kiki, who climbed with Satya, the Legend-climber and Ioannis Karadoukas, a 74-year-old climber who at every opportunity recalls that dreams do not have age.
“We wanted to send a resounding message for lung cancer prevention. We reached the highest peak in Europe. It was an experience special and unique. When we reach the top and see everything from above everything changes. It all looks so small.
There we are breathless by the view, by nature, by the greatness of the life we gaze upon. This is the motto, such images, those of life to be breathtaking and not lung cancer.
We must all adopt a healthy lifestyle to protect ourselves and those around us. This is also the message of which I am a bearer from “FairLife L.C.C.”.
Kiki aims to come to Australia as well.
She wants to climb the highest mountain in the country, Mount Kosciuszko. “I will definitely be seen at some point by our expats in Australia. I want to conquer the Seven Peaks in the world. They are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. It’s a mountaineering challenge.”
“Of course our expatriates can come to Greece and get to know each other here” concludes Kiki Tsakaldimi in her interview with the “Greek Herald”.
The name Basil first appeared during the glorious Hellenist era (323BC -31BC), a period where Greek cultural influence abounded. It is derived from the male Greek name ‘Vassilios,’ meaning ‘royal and kingly.’ Whilst, in Arabic, the name was bestowed on boys who displayed a ‘fearless and intrepid’ nature. Thus, it is an entirely fitting name for a gentleman, born in Ismailia, a sophisticated north eastern Egyptian city famed for being the headquarters of the Suez Canal Authority at a time when the Greek influence of its expatriate citizens permeated the city’s soul.
Basil (Bill) Angelou, was born on the 22nd of February, 1930, the eldest son and third of five children to parents Dimitrios and Maria (Haratsis).
From the outset, Mr Angelou’s education reflected the rich tapestry of his context. He commenced his studies at Ismailia’s Greek school and later graduated with distinction at the French International school for boys, where he attained fluency in five languages: Arabic, English, French, Greek and Italian.
Basil as a young man.
Acquiescing to his mother’s wishes, Mr Angelou forfeited the scholarship he received to study abroad in France and instead accepted a coveted cadetship with the Suez Canal Authority.
Sensing civil unrest, Mr Angelou, then aged 19, drew upon the ‘fearlessness’ embodied in his name and ‘intrepidly’ set about securing a passage to distant Australia in 1949. He was the first in his family to do so.
By 1956, President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s actions verified Mr Angelou’s worst suspicions. The decision to nationalise Britain’s enviable ‘crown jewel’ the Suez Canal quickly triggered a trilateral war between Egypt, France, England and Israel.
For Mr Angelou, personally, this historic development meant there was no turning back. The idyllic Egyptian-Greek society that characterised Mr Angelou’s birthplace was eternally shattered.
The most exciting personal outcome to emerge from Mr Angelou’s momentous relocation to Sydney happened in 1964 when Mr Angelou met his soulmate, ‘golden girl,’ Stefania Chryssafis.
Basil Angelou and his wife Stefania.
Wedded to beautiful Stefania, Mr Angelou embarked on the ‘regal’ quest that would ultimately guide his destiny. He began by volunteering at Gardeners Road Public School as a Greek Orthodox scripture teacher for the parish of St George Church Rose Bay. His devotion to instilling the Greek Orthodox faith into the hearts of his students was evidenced by the fact that he performed this volunteering role for 37 years.
In his role as senior sales manager for Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mr Angelou became acutely emphatic about the value of education.
In 1973, Mr Angelou followed this deep-seated conviction by becoming a language teacher at St George’s Greek afternoon school. He held that role for what seemed a lifetime, nearly 40 years.
Christmas Concert for Greek School at St George Church (approx.1975).
End of Year Xmas Concert at St George Church (2010)
In addition to teaching his students to read, speak and write Greek, Mr Angelou felt duty bound to impart life lessons to his students. He fervently believed “you wouldn’t send a soldier to war without a weapon, hence you should never send a child into the arena of life without the right tools.”
To Mr Angelou, the ‘right tools’ meant embedding a deep appreciation of Hellenic faith, tradition and culture into young minds and encouraging travel.
He accomplished his holistic agenda by:
– Concluding every lesson by reciting the Lord’s Prayer and depending on the time of the year he would also fervently lead the students in the Greek National Anthem, the Christos Anesti and Greek Christmas Carols; – Annually leading St George’s youth in the Greek Independence Day march to the Opera House; – Co-ordinating annual visits to homes of St George parishioners to sing ‘Ta Kalanda’; – Acting as chaperone for the Archdiocese Greek trip in 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1985.
Greek National Day of Independence march.
Together with his wife ‘Stefi,’ Mr Angelou was indefatigable. He commenced his day, with before school Greek classes and ended each night at 9pm, when older students were tutored for HSC Greek and French.
At various times Mr Angelou taught Greek at Kambala, Claremont College, Waverley Public, Clovelly Public and Bondi Public. Together with his wife Stefania, Mr Angelou became the adored ‘adopted pappou’ to St George’s ‘Papakia’ a cohort of pre-schoolers who attend the Church’s Greek Playgroup sessions.
An excerpt of a letter read out at the conclusion of Mr Angelou’s funeral by former student Eleni Harris Egan validates this:
“Mr Angelou holds a vivid memory in my life, and the lives of my brothers and mother and my cousins and all the people of our generation.
St George Parish, Rosebay Greek School, Christmas Concert.
“It wasn’t only the Greek School and the house tuitions where he managed to make learning enjoyable, it is the person that Mr Angelou was: kind, patient, never raising his voice, caring, compassionate, friendly, respectful to others and fair and humble. Such a brilliant man, a wonderful man and we will miss him, a solid identity of growing up Greek in Australia.”
On the 6th of April, 2008 Mr Angelou was officially recognised for his remarkable achievements when he was presented with the ‘Kosmas O Aitolos Award’ in recognition for his dedicated service to advancing Hellenic Studies.
In short, Mr Angelou left behind a legacy worthy of a ‘king.’ He deserves every accolade for his uncompromising commitment to educating several generations of Sydney’s Eastern suburbs youth.
Finally, Mr Angelou’s favourite song was Nat King Cole’s ‘Smile,’ which he would sing for family and friends on many occasions, However in the hearts and minds of the thousands of people whose lives Mr Angelou enriched, the words of a different Nat King Cole song apply, “Unforgettable.”
He is survived by his wife Stefania, his daughters Maria, Angelique, Dimitra, Sophie and Catherine and grandchildren, Sophia, Yiannis, Adam, Stephania and Niko. All are comforted with the knowledge that Mr Angelou is finally Resting in Peace.
Basil is survived by his wife Stefania, his 5 daughters and 5 grandchildren.
It’s that time of the year again! Christmas has arrived and people are starting to put on some Christmas carols as they decorate their beloved Christmas trees.
The Greek Herald has decided to jump on the Christmas bandwagon and share its top tips for how to repurpose and recycle your yiayia’s doilies to create a beautiful new Christmas ornament filled with memories.
It’s really as simple as stretching fabric over a wireframe!
Materials:
Yiayia’s doily
Mason jar lid ring
Hot glue gun and glue
Christmas hooks
Scissors
Method:
Stretch out the doily & hot glue it to the edges of the mason jar ring.
Let the glue dry.
Attach a cheap Christmas ornament hook.
Hang it on your Christmas tree.
If you’re after something a little more decorative – for example the shape of angel wings – you can create a stencil on a piece of cardboard and trace the edge of it with craft wire. Next, glue this craft wire to the doily and leave to dry. Cut any excess doily and you’re all set!
Simon Gloftis is set to open a new high-end sushi diner, Sushi Room, on Brisbane’s James Street. It’s his fourth restaurant in Queensland’s capital in five years.
According to The Courier Mail, the new venture, which Gloftis co-owns with Kelvin Andrews and Theo Kampolis, will have a fit-out worth more than the average Brisbane home, a set menu for about $300 a head and quality produce flown in from across the country.
“It’s one of those places where we’re not being beholden to any trends. We’re going with the highest quality produce, minimal intervention and maximum flavour,” Gloftis told the newspaper.
Shimpei Raikuni, Theo Kampolis, Simon Gloftis and Kelvin Andrews outside their new restaurant at Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Richard Walker.
That means a traditional, sophisticated sushi and sashimi menu, all prepared by ex-Kiyomi, Broadbeach sushi chef Shimpei Raikuni, who trained in Japan before moving to Australia.
There will also be a full vegetarian offering and a cracking drinks list from group sommelier Alexandra McPherson.
The venue is set for a late February opening and will join Gloftis’ other successful business ventures including Hellenika, SK Steak & Oyster and the soon-to-launch Sunshine.
A Greek stage actor has refused to perform only for vaccinated audiences.
Coronavirus cases in Greece hit record highs this month, prompting the government to ban those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 from indoor venues.
Aris Servetalis announced on Tuesday he was stepping down from a Eugene Ionesco play in Athens. The Kivotos theatre said the production is postponed indefinitely.
“I cannot support the segregation of people imposed by the new measures,” wrote Servetalis, who has voiced scepticism over the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.
“We are a society of individuals, not a herd divided between vaccinated and not.”
His decision has drawn criticism from the entertainment industry, which has been hard hit by lockdowns and an enduring economic crisis.
“I am shocked,” said Spyros Bibilas, who heads the Greek Actors’ Association.
“I did not expect an actor to stop a show, ignoring that other people work there too. I find it unacceptable.”
Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis tweeted his dismay, saying: “Are these reasons for leaving his colleagues unemployed, because he is not getting his way in the country?”
Responding to the criticism, Servetalis said he had informed the theatre company and the director in July of his intentions to leave if such measures were taken, allowing them time to find a replacement.
Thousands of Greeks took to social media to congratulate Servetalis.
“It was about time someone said NO,” one Instagram user wrote below the actor’s post.
“I bow to your ethos and integrity,” another said.
From the minute people walk into Karkalla restaurant in the coastal NSW town of Byron Bay, they are instantly greeted by the tantalising scents of locally sourced, seasonal produce and native indigenous ingredients.
That’s no surprise as Karkalla Byron Bay is the passion project of Mindy Woods – a proud Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia-bul clan.
Fuelled by a desire to create opportunities for indigenous and non-indigenous people to connect with Aboriginal culture, art and stories through food, Mindy decided to hire the one person she knew would help her dream become a reality.
That person was 28-year-old Greek Cypriot head chef, Michael Petrou.
(L-R) Mindy Woods with Michael Petrou. Photo supplied.
“As soon as Mindy told us she was buying a restaurant in Byron Bay and it was about to open, I put my hand up and I really wanted to be a part of it,” Petrou tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
Since then, Petrou has been working hard in Karkalla’s kitchen using native ingredients such as lemon myrtle, bush tomato mojo picon and fingerlime ‘in a modern way’ and trying to ‘educate people a little bit about native foods and their history.’
Of course, he also acknowledges that some of the dishes he serves to customers have a distinct Greek Cypriot twist to them.
“There’s a lot of Greek tendencies that come into my cooking because of my Greek heritage… For example, for dinner we have this beautiful baked haloumi and then we put that with bush honey and native thyme and lemon,” Petrou explains.
Petrou loves to cook with native food. Photos supplied.
Interior of Karkalla Byron Bay.
“Even just being generous… I’m always over generous with food and I think that just comes from me, from my parents – where there’s always just way too much food when we go for dinner.
“Also, the whole share-style menu. That’s reflective of being Greek because personally, I don’t like just eating one meal and as Greeks we always like to share so our menu is designed to share.”
‘An honour to work with native food’:
It’s clear Petrou is extremely proud of his Greek Cypriot heritage, having always been immersed in it from a very young age.
“My grandparents owned a milk bar in Lane Cove for 13 years so I spent a little bit of time there… I have vivid memories of them, especially my yiayia always cooking and my pappou taking me out to the shops and getting food,” he says.
Native food served at Karkalla.
“We also always used to go to my aunty and uncles farm… a lemon, lime and avocado farm. We’d always be out there and I’d help pick all the fruits and I just always remember there being so much food.”
Despite these happy memories, Petrou never had the urge to work in a Greek restaurant. Instead, he found himself working in places such as a Spanish tapas bar, an Italian restaurant, and even Shirt Bar in Barangaroo where he met Mindy for the first time.
“[Mindy] was the head chef… her menu was very Asian-inspired so a lot of Malaysian, South-East Asian, Vietnamese food. For me, I’d never really had anything to do with Asian food so that was really inspiring and I learnt so much,” Petrou says.
Some of Petrou’s food at Karkalla has a Greek twist.
Later, he spent roughly two years at Mr Miyagi in Melbourne before partnering again with Mindy at Lotus Dining. Their bond was so strong that Petrou has never regretted taking the next step in his career at Karkalla with the Bundjalung woman.
“To be working with native foods and to be working with Mindy, she’s Indigenous, and to learn about the history and the culture, I actually feel really honoured,” Petrou concludes with a smile.
“It’s much more than just a job for me. It’s really special to be learning and working with all these ingredients because for a long time I wasn’t educated in all these foods and how amazing they are.”
With such a strong passion and love for different cultures and food, there’s no doubt Petrou is destined to leave his mark on the Australian cuisine scene.
