Melbourne’s leading Greek specialty chefs and restaurants are back again to bring you the best in delectable Greek food, decadent desserts and gastronomic trivia in this year’s Flavours of Greece.
Now in its third year the 2012 program presents a mix of regional cuisine, classic feasts and contemporary cuisine.
Penny Kyprianou, Arts and Culture Program Manager, Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, says this year’s line up will have something for every foodie who wants to sample many facets of Greek cuisine as part of the rich Hellenic culture in Melbourne.
“Given how important food is to Greeks, and how loved Greek food is in Melbourne, it was only fitting that we add a foodie event to the Greek Community’s annual program,” says Penny of the event. The first event – produced by Ross Karavis – was held in 2010 and has grown from strength to strength each year. This year, sponsored by Barbaresso Ouzo, Flavours of Greece includes restaurants and chefs that have appeared in previous years together with newcomers such as Pei Modern and Shed 5.
“Matt Germanchis from Pei Modern will serve up four courses ‘inspired by dishes from childhood’ using ingredients from Greek producers.
“Vasilios Donoudis, who recently opened Shed 5 with Stan Sarris, and one of our demonstrating chefs at this year’s Lonsdale Street Glendi, will showcase Food from Macedonia in Modern day Australia. For those with a penchant for sweet things, Dream Cakes Cafe in South Yarra will be putting on a Sweet and Savoury Degustation, and was recently awarded 2012 Best Baklava in Melbourne by SBS’s Feast Magazine. We also bring back Trivia this year, hosted by Barbaresso Oyzo at Kri Kri in Little Bourke Street; where teams will battle it out for some great prizes, and the honour of being crowned the 2012 winner.”
Flavours of Greece may itself be a relatively new event to the Antipodes Festival – the cultural arm of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria – but it is one that holds a significant place in representing Greek heritage and its influence in Australian culture.
“In the same way we celebrate film, literature and music, it is equally important to celebrate that which continues to bring families and friends together; food.
“We are so fortunate to live in a city that celebrates culinary diversity so extensively, and that is evident in the endless number of restaurants available to Victorian’s. Greek food has such wide appeal, and we recognise the potential of Flavours of Greece to appeal to wider audiences, which in turn can be used to connect these new audiences to our other initiatives throughout the year.
“We share so much over a meal. It’s the way we communicate, show love for each other, welcome someone to our home or city, and many memorable conversations and moments can be traced back to certain meals. It’s the social aspect of sharing a meal with family and friends that I find important; a time where we can put away our gadgets and catch up in person.”

To make a reservation for Flavours of Greece visit www.antipodesfestival.com.au/flavours
Events for Flavours of Greece include:
Angela’s Kitchen:
Food from Smyrna
Secret Northcote address to be advised to guests
48 hours prior.
Tuesday 28 August, 7:00 pm
Pei Modern
Collins Place, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne
Tuesday 4 September, 6:30 pm
Philhellene: Southern Greek island cooking
551-553 Mount Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds
Wednesday 5 September, 6:30 pm
Shed 5: Food from Macedonia in modern day
Australia
37 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf
Tuesday 11 September, 6:30 pm
Spitiko: Made in Greece
270 Park Street, South Melbourne
Wednesday 12 September, 6.30pm
Barbaresso Oyzo Triva Night
Kri Kri – 39-41 Little Bourke Street, City
Friday 14th September, 6:30 pm
Greek Deli & Taverna: Whole Roast Suckling Pig Dinner
583 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Wednesday 19 September, 7:00 pm
Dream Greek Patisserie: Dessert degustation
720 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Thursday 20 September, 6.45 pm
Salona: Athenian High Tea
260A Swan Street, Richmond
Sunday 23 September, 3:00 pm
Hellenic Republic: Passion and the product
434 Lygon Street Brunswick
Tuesday 25 September, 7:00 pm
Salona: Nose to tail dining
260A Swan Street, Richmond
Thursday 27 September, 6.30 pm