TYLER, TX – Vicky Sklavenitis is feeding everyone in Tyler, TX. Two years ago, Sklavenitis started using her mother’s recipes at the Athena & American Family restaurant.
Sklavenitis co-owns the restaurant with her sister Effie and brother-in-law Angelo Siamos, says Calvin Maynard from the Tyler Morning Telegraph. Sklavenitis and family attribute their success to the support from loyal customers. Sklavenitis says “the biggest challenge is for people who weren’t travelers, who hadn’t been to Greek restaurants and eaten the food to try something different. But when we started, there were a lot who had Greek food before, and were travelers who had been to Greece, and knew this is authentic Greek food, 100 percent.”
Sklavenitis and her sister were born in Lefkada and like many Greeks migrated to America for a better future. Her family came to the United States and helped her aunt in their restaurant. There, she told the Telegraph, her mother first began to teach her about traditional recipes that were passed down for generations. By 1992 her father opened up two restaurants.
For 12 years Angela and Effie ran the restaurant. Maynard reports that five years ago, her husband, Chuck Kutz, brought her along with him to Tyler when he came to build carports. She went on to tell him that they came to visit, but thought “all we see is the franchises and Mexican restaurants. We thought this would be a change for people.” She went on to tell him that “some people hesitated to taste something different, but I was expecting that. We make everything authentic here – everything. Travelers know that, and they spread the word. I appreciate all the support from our customers, when they’re here, they’re family.”
TORONTO, CANADA – Every year hundreds of thousands of people attend the Krinos Taste of The Danforth Festival in Toronto. The Festival is run by a Board of Directors consisting of volunteers from the local community. There is no full-time staff. They are also fascinated by the fact that the concept began 22 years ago when a number of competitors decided to get together to participate in what is now known as co-op or coalition advertising. This year they are celebrating their 22nd anniversary. The Festival began in 1994 when a group of restaurateurs on the Danforth tried to come up with ways they could entice people to come to the Danforth and enjoy their amazing Greek cuisine. They decided that rather than advertising individually, they would be better off pooling their resources and advertising together. Rather than suggesting that potential visitors come to eat at one restaurant over another, they decided to set up “tasting” tables – so that individuals could try food fare from a number of restaurants. Festival attendees get to enjoy live music, movies and food. Every year they have a whole host of celebrities joining them. This year there will be presentations Eleana Papaioannaou, Rebel Coast, Zack Werner, and more. There will be the Danforth Showcase stage that will feature eclectic international music and dance. You can find the finest Greek singers, musicians, and dancers at the Astro Athentikos Greek Yogurt Stage. Their popular Sports Zone features activations and challenges from Toronto’s professional sports teams, so don’t be surprised if you bump into one of your favorite Toronto sports heroes at the Festival!
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