On 31 March, an article was published in The Sydney Morning Herald featuring an interview of Chloe Shorten over lunch at Philhellene Provincial Greek Cuisine, one of her favourite go-tos.
Ms Shorten, chose the location as it is a place that she knows well, that brings her peace as she refuels on good vibes and good Greek cuisine.
The interview, focusing on everything from the passing of Ms Shorten’s childhood friend Senator Kimberley Kitching to her favourite books and poetry, also touched on the venue itself and the mouth-watering delicacies laid out before the journalist and the interviewee.
Ms Shorten, explaining the reasons that made her choose this venue which is close to her heart- a safe place, went on to introduce owner John Rerakis, a passionate, proud and vocal Cretan and his wife Susie who being close to the Shorten couple, opened their restaurant specifically for the interview.
The writer, having enjoyed the Greek cuisine delicacies wanted to give Philhellene and its owners a proper mention.
The next day, John Rerakis started getting inbox messages where long-time friends would refer to him as Paul and order Dodecanesian flavours. It did not take long for new customers interested in dining at the restaurant asked for Paul Rerakis.
Messages Mr Rerakis received from friends and customers after the article was published. Photo: Supplied
Messages Mr Rerakis received from friends and customers after the article was published. Photo: Supplied
Messages Mr Rerakis received from friends and customers after the article was published. Photo: Supplied
Messages Mr Rerakis received from friends and customers after the article was published. Photo: Supplied
Messages Mr Rerakis received from friends and customers after the article was published. Photo: Supplied
Be it the deliciousness of the meal or the emotions evoked during the one-on-one, in the published article, John had been misnamed. His wife Susie was described as being from Rhodes while he was a Cretan from… the Dodecanese.
“Oh my god! Rerakis said laughingly, “My imbox on my phone and on Facebook is flooded with messages. People are now making fun of me!”
“It took me a couple of days to realise what had happened,” he told Neos Kosmos, “I was getting messages from people I haven’t been in touch with in years!”
“It could be a typo, it could be bad memory and not enough research, it’s all okay! One of the things I’ve learned in life is to laugh about these things. Just makes life more fun. Salt and pepper!”
When asked if he would have it edited, he didn’t seem to mind much referring to the incident as a typo.
“I don’t take offence. As long as the restaurant and the menu is not misrepresented and everyone had a good time… enjoyed what we put on the table, it’s all fine. Just another story to tell!”
He highlighted that he was happy to have been able to provide a space and a good time to Ms Shorten as his family has had a lasting relationship with the former federal opposition couple.
“I don’t want to talk politics. I want to talk people and over the years of them coming to my restaurant all I see in Ms Shorten is a beautiful person and a Philhellene. A true Philhellene for a love for Greece that doesn’t just run stereotype-deep or cuisine-deep.”
“I often sit with her to try and explain a Greek concept or a historical fact and she ends up going into more details, often teaching me Greek history from antiquity to modern times, art and philosophical or political theories that draw their roots in Hellenism.”
