Big Fat Greek Dinner in Buffalo, New York

Last weekend will be a very memorable one. For the first time I took my Greek Supper Club concept to the western New York area and cooked another Big Fat Greek Dinner. There were some similarities to the menu and some new items as well!

The sold-out (50 guests) dinner took place at the recently renovated Milos restaurant in Willamsville, New York – a suburb of Buffalo. The dinner came into being when my friend Christa attended one of my dinners here in Toronto. She was so enthused with the dinner that she wanted folks in the Buffalo area to experience a similar dinner.

Christa also is responsible for Buffalo’s Restaurant Week and she was brimming with options when we were considering venues. After scouting many restaurants, Christa gave me  shortlist and we decided to approach Milos Restaurant.

Proprietor Ray Kollidas was enthusiastic about the dinner from day 1 but as someone coming into a strange kitchen, different city and different country…I didn’t know what to expect!

When I arrived at Milos, I was met with courtesy, I had my own space to cook in this vast kitchen and the staff and management at Milos helped when asked and delivered above and beyond my expectations. It’s  joy to see a restaurant do so well and with respect to Milos, a large part of the success goes to the Kollidas family for treating their staff with respect along with their patrons.

I would like to thank Paula Costa for once again being a fabulous assistant in the kitchen and plating my dishes with precision. Many thanks to Manos Maragkakis of Nisos Importing for coming down to Buffalo to share his olive oil with our guests.

A big thanks to Andrea Englisis of Athenee Wines for coming from New York City to introduce the wines she selected for our dinner. Once again, Christa Schmidt Hobart, thank you for your hospitality, your organization and quarterbacking this event made it the success that it was!

Without further adieu, I leave you all with a slide presentation recapping the dinner. Photos were kindly taken by Katherine Kenwell Cich of www.redroverphoto.com, thank you Katherine!