Greek owned Sydney café That Place has been named as the Most Outstanding Café at the Local Business Awards for second year in a row.
It is the second award this year for those involved with the café, as a few months ago owner George Zaharof won Outstanding Business Person of the Year.
Located in Mascot and Stanmore, That Place won the award for the Bayside region, against some stiff competition.
“It’s a very intense competition in in our category because there’s so many cafes, and many of them are so good – it was challenging, but we managed to come at the top,” Zaharof tells Neos Kosmos.
“The fact that it happened for second year is extremely important for myself personally and the team as well because all the hard work, the commitment, the determination, it’s been acknowledged.”
Zaharof reveals that they had no idea they were nominated as he and his wife Jessica were in Greece, and only found out last week.
He says the award is even more gratifying because it is the locals of Mascot and Bayside who nominate and vote.
The Greek expatriate was born in Athens and raised in Lemnos, but like thousands of other educated Greeks, he left during the 2008-2016 financial crisis.
Having relatives in Australia – who alongside his immediate family back in Greece are very proud – made life much easier for Zaharof, a privilege he doesn’t forget.
“I’ve been blessed with the relatives that I have here in Australia because they have been very supportive.”
“I’ve heard stories of people like me coming from Greece with the promises of help and support and guidance, and eventually they’ve been dropped. They’ve been alone in a foreign country, and they don’t where to look.”
Over the next few months, That Place will be working on an updated menu, with some fancy drink options, some “innovative” ways to brew coffee, and are planning to start a dinner service this summer. The ultimate goal is for them to get a bigger venue.
