Heleena and Philip Vakos – the team behind Bahari restaurant in Richmond – have now created ‘Phlavour’, a new venture, making it super convenient to eat well, save money, and get back your time for other things more important to you.
“Running a few businesses, and now having a two-year-old, we know how hard it can be to make sure you eat well, and look after yourself during the week” Heleena said.
The fact that the average Australian family of four can spend up to 61 per cent of their weekly food budget on ultra processed, unhealthy food and drinks, shocked the couple into action.
“We wanted to simply provide everyone with food that we cook for ourselves. Good food, tasty, clean food that we know and love, food we all look forward to eating,” said Philip.
Phlavour meals have no additives or preservatives, and use only the best produce available. Having fed the Richmond Football Club throughout 2024, the meals are also available to NDIS and Home Care Package recipients.
“The response has been excellent over the last six months, since we’ve launched, the great feedback is driving us.
“Being able to impact someone’s life by making good food accessible to them is a good feeling,” Philip said.
The menu is curated by Masterchef Philip Vakos, in conjunction with nutritionists – building Mediterranean flavours in generous portions.
“With the increasing cost of living pressures people are busier, they are working harder trying to make ends-meet, so a helping hand like a few meals up your sleeve each week can take some pressure off,” said Heleena.
The meals are delivered fresh every Sunday evening in sustainable packaging. They can be frozen by the customer once received, to be eaten at a later time.
“Phlavour’ is serving up ‘Ready Meals’, but not as you know them,” said Philip.
“Think five-hour roasted lamb shoulder, grilled chicken with spanakorizo, pork and fennel meatballs with kritharaki, moussaka, pastistio – and leaner protein packed meals, like chicken and greens” he adds.
“A few minutes in the microwave, and you’re on your way.”
There’s a backstory-it all began 10 years ago at Bahari Restaurant
Co-founder and chef Philip Vakos grew up in Tasmania, where he spent hours in the kitchen with two Cretan grandmothers. It was under their tutelage that Philip was taught that balancing spice in Greek food as a fine art.
“Keep it simple, but keep them guessing, they told me” he said.
Philip studied accounting at the University of Tasmania, then entered a nine to five life. However, Philip found himself being pulled into food.
In 2010, his application into MasterChef was successful, he found his calling and moved to Melbourne. He spent many hours raising money for charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation, A Fighting Chance and The National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Philip engaged new audiences with cooking demonstrations at festivals and events, like the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival, Moonee Valley Festival, Pooley’s Vineyard in Tasmania, Sustainable Living Expo, Prahran Market, Darwin Glenti, Estia Festival and Oakleigh Greek Glendi.
Philip became a regular on media appearances since MasterChef, and currently appears on Everyday Gourmet and ‘Farm to Fork on Channel 10. He was recently a guest on Adam Liaw’s The Cook Up on SBS Food.
The “dad of a two-year-old, the juggle is real” said Philip who remains very active in Bahari.
His partner, mum, co-founder, Heleena Alatsas has been a business and marketing specialist in the hospitality industry for years. Shoulder to shoulder with Philip in Bahari, Heleena launched The Gringlish Company, a “Greece meets Melbourne catering and event services in Melbourne” she said.
With a passion for “sustainability, brand building, and giving back to to the community.
“Our vision is for ‘Phlavour’ to make a difference to many people’s lives,” Heleena said.
The menu is about to expand, and Phlavour are offering 15 per cent off your first delivery order via signing up on their website.
No subscription is required, it’s order as you like.
Orders close on Wednesdays 10pm, for the following Sunday evening delivery. Pick up is also available from Bahari, in Richmond.
For NDIS or Home Care Package reach out to Phlavour directly with your provider the set up is easy.
For information and bookings call 1300 574 730, email hello@phlavour.com.au and visit www.phlavour.com.au or @phlavour__ on Instagram
