Anyone who has visited the Greek Islands will tell you that a must-do on the list, is to try some authentic Greek loukoumades. They are delicious little bite sized fluffy donuts, deep fried, usually drizzled with honey and cinnamon or walnuts, that will have you licking your fingers for another taste, once they are all gone. They are one of Greece’s best known desserts and many restaurants serve them at the end of a meal as a gift on the house.
St. Gerry’s, named after Saint Gerasimos, is a roaming food cart created by Dean Giannakis and Fotis Nikolaou, a set of cousins, one of which left their corporate career, to follow a dream. It offers a traditional and more modern take on loukoumades, with many different flavour combinations. Some of the flavours you may find on their ever changing menu include: hazelnut chocolate and yiayia’s crumbed biscuits, salted caramel and popcorn, their take on the ‘Snickers’ bar, raspberry coulis filled and many more.
I sat down with Dean and had a chat over one of their sampler boxes about St. Gerry’s and what is to come.
How did you come up with the idea? What inspired you?
During a holiday in Kefalonia and whilst visiting family there, my cousin Foti and I were celebrating August 15th at a festival next to Saint Gerasimos (Gerry). We spotted people queuing for loukoumades (Greek donuts), bought some, tried them, I pitched an idea to my cousin, wrote a business plan whilst tanning at Costa Costa beach and the rest is history. My cousin (and now business partner) Foti and I, had the business up and running within 11 weeks of returning home to Melbourne.
Who do you admire most in the cooking arena?
I would have to say my dad, Peter Giannakis. He has a love of food, especially desserts, like no other, I guess that’s where I got my passion from. He’s extremely talented and like myself, we are both glued to any and every cooking/food show on tv or Foxtel!
Also some well known chefs, you can’t go past: Heston Blumenthal, Ferran Adria, Massimo Bottura, Magnus Nilson and Grant Achatz. All magicians and freaks in the kitchen.
What made you leave your corporate job to pursue this dream?
More so my passion and love of food. I’ve always worked on business models/ideas for pop up food ventures and even cafes, but never followed through with any. St.Gerry’s helped me achieve that drive and fire in my belly to follow my heart and establish myself in the culinary world. We are spoilt for choice in Melbourne and I feel this city is a foodies haven, so why not work in a space that’s constantly booming and busy.
What do you love about this job?
I love being creative, letting your imagination run wild with flavours, combinations, tweaking recipes and trialling whatever your heart desires. Constantly meeting new people, working in different environments, seeing people’s faces light up when they take the first bite of our famous Greek donuts or Fudge Puppy (Belgian waffle on a stick), you know that that’s a customer for life now. That’s what makes me happy, not the money as such, that will come, it’s satisfying your customers and receiving outstanding feedback which makes me feel good.
Have you had any setbacks or difficulties?
To be honest, not really no. We went in with a smart business plan, didn’t out stretch ourselves and grew the business slowly. Some events where not very profitable, some we broke even, but it was the branding which was crucial, so were they setbacks? I don’t think so.
What is your message to other Greek Australians?
Make calculated risks, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and give something that you may have wanted to do or a business idea that’s been brewing a chance. Plan smart, obtain support from your family and friends, set some timelines and see where your ideas can take you. Life is too short to not give an opportunity to doing something you love.
Where to from here? Any future plans you would like to share with us?
We will continue serving the masses at Melbourne’s most popular events, festivals, shows, markets etc. Two Greek donut set ups and one Fudge Puppy set up constantly working every month. We will also be revealing some exciting news within the coming weeks or so. Bricks and mortar perhaps…
Where can we find you?
Find us at The Royal Melbourne Show from September 17th – 27th at the Showgrounds and check out our monthly calendar of events via our website: www.stgerrys.com.au October through to May are going to be jam packed.
Now I must admit I have a sweet tooth so I can definitely say, with a set of very refined taste buds when it comes to loukoumades, that St. Gerry’s are the best I have had outside of Santorini. After tasting them all though I have to say, I couldn’t go past the traditional, honey, cinnamon and walnuts. Do yourself a favour, look up the site and find out where the boys will be next and pop down to have a try of their delicious donuts. To find out more about St. Gerry’s go to www.stgerrys.com.au
Zoe George (nee Velonis) is the The Subtle Mummy www.thesubtlemummy.com and www.facebook.com/thesubtlemummy