GOLD and Tweed Coasters are invited to experience the first-ever ‘Taste of GreekFest’, a Greek style cooking masterclass hosted by the Gold Coast Greek Orthodox Community as part of this year’s festival.
To be held on July 3 at the Greek Community Centre, the ‘Taste of GreekFest’ cooking workshop will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to learn the art of authentic Greek cooking at its finest.
With the help of Greek cooking masters, the afternoon workshop will cover a range of recipes including Mezes (appetisers), main meals and desserts, allowing attendees to be immersed in a setting that combines tantalising and fresh ingredients and flavours with traditional Greek cooking techniques.
In celebration of the fast-approaching biennial festival (taking place at Evandale Parklands on July 10), Gold Coast GreekFest co-chairperson Sandra Voukelatos said the cooking workshop is a great way for people of all backgrounds to explore the richness and authenticity of Greek culture – hands on.
“Food is such an important and integral aspect of Greek life, as well as hospitality,” said Ms Voukelatos.
“This is the first time we have done a cooking workshop, and we are absolutely excited for it.
“Greece is renowned for its authentic flavours and passion for food, and that’s really what this master class is all about – to share our love and knowledge for Greek cuisine with the rest of the Gold Coast community.”
With television cooking programs and cook books generating a culinary frenzy in recent months, Ms Voukelatos said there was no better time to transform the growing idea of a traditional Greek cooking class into reality.
“We realised there was a significant increase in interest around cooking programs and cooking books of late and we really wanted to introduce a cooking class as part of this year’s festival.
“We’ve been asked over the years if we had ever thought about doing Greek cooking classes for the community and this year we really wanted to respond to these inquiries and put together something that everyone will enjoy.
“The recipes that we will be cooking on the day will also be meals that can be frozen or easily increased to larger quantities, which is perfect for any occasion.
“We will also come together at the end of the workshop and sample all of the wonderful meals that will be created.”
While 100 spots are open to the community, attendees will be separated into smaller groups to be able to benefit from an intimate learning experience like no other.
With future plans already in mind for the inaugural cooking workshop, Ms Voukelatos said she looked forward to the afternoon and hoped it will be a mouth-watering success.
“We are really looking forward to hosting the cooking class and hope it will be embraced by the community so we can make it an ongoing event in the lead-up to the GreekFest.
“We really would love to continue it over the coming years and even develop the workshops to have more detailed classes with specific focuses, such as a vegetarian workshop.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for the community, not only to be able to experience and embrace our culture, but it gives all of the attendees from every background the opportunity to join in, in an atmosphere of culinary celebration.”
Beginning at 1pm, the four-hour master class will combine Greek history and culture with the much-loved traditional Greek cooking to fill not only attendees’ stomachs, but also their heartsand minds.
All people attending the class will also be given a take-home booklet of recipes that are featured during the workshop.
To attend ‘Taste of GreekFest’ on Sunday, July 3, bookings are essential and places cost just $25 per person. To guarantee a spot, all bookings and payments will need to be made before Thursday, June 30. The Greek Community Centre is located opposite Gold Coast Mail Centre at 31a Crombie Ave, Bundall.
Gold Coast GreekFest kicks off on Sunday, July 10 at Evandale Park from 10am until 6pm, entry is just $5 for adults, aged pensioners $3, and for children 13 and under, entry is free.
To make a booking for the ‘Taste of GreekFest’ Cooking Workshop or for further event information on the 2011 GreekFest, please contact the Greek Orthodox Community at festival@gocstanna.org or by phoning (07) 55 740 434.
