It seems that the players of AFL club Richmond Tigers have developed a taste for Greek cuisine. A handful of players and coaches were hosted by John Rerakis from Philhellene Provincial Greek Cuisine, for a meal, now a tradition before the season begins.
Captain Toby Nankervis, Noah Balta, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Samson Ryan, Sam Naismith and tallest player in the league Mate Colina (2.13m) were all in attendance.
Also, over for the day were assistant coaches, former Adelaide and Richmond player Ivan Maric and former North Melbourne star Jack Ziebell.
They all enjoyed some lamb on the spit as usual but Rerakis tells Neos Kosmos that they’ve always been keen to try the “real” traditional foods like baked zucchini flowers, vlita (greens) and yemista (stuffed tomatoes or capsicum/peppers).
He also shared that they all took home some faki (lenti soup).
“These guys are professional sportsman who need to watch what they eat,” Rerakis said.
“They can’t be going out and eating takeout like souvlaki all the time.”
He went on to say that a lot of these players are young and not living at home anymore, so they’d be missing a home cooked meal.
“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food,” Rerakis quoted Hippocrates.
Greek and Mediterranean diets have long been ranked amongst the healthiest in the world, it’s not just all souvlaki and gyros as some may think says Zerakis.
He also shared that some Greek Orthodox priests have told him that if Richmond win the premiership, to bring the cup over to the church.
It may just very well be that the entire Richmond Football Club enjoy some Greek food, as their pre-season training in January saw food catered by Philip Vakos from Bahari | The Hellenic Palate.
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