It was a cold winter´s day in December. More than 8000 km away, warmer temperatures touched the sands of Greece and all of its islands. As far apart as they felt, a local husband and wife team dedicated their time to making certain a connection to their roots was present and thriving in the Greater Toronto Area.
Greektown, known as Danforth, began as a inner city haven carved out for Greek immigrants after World War I. Restaurants, shops and homes created a sense of home with a common language, familiar tastes and smells of their traditions. Due to the war, it was challenging to source some of the ingredients to create authentic dishes, so some adaptations were made using local food sources. Fast forward to present day Toronto where we were introduced to Mazee Greek Gift Experieneces, where Jim Bamboulis and his wife have curated gift baskets and online cooking classs with products sourced right from Greece. With local delivery and pick up in the Greater Toronto Area, a sample of Grecian flavor is right at your finger tips. Baskets can be shipped around the world and online cooking classes offer a hands on experience right from home. We checked in with Jim who shared their product knowledge and love of their heritage, while we shared additional tips for experiencing Greece beyond the basket.
We asked what inspired the family to start curating and sharing these amazing gift baskets. Jim Bamboulis recalled growing up and a family connection of sharing food. ¨The company that I have is called Mazee Greek Gift Experiences and translated from Greek, Mazee means ´together’. I grew up surrounded with immigrants, and so the high-rise building that I grew up in was maybe financially poor, but culturally rich.”
“We didn´t have much money, but we had a lot of soul. We had a lot of food to give…and my mom would make extra. If we had a neighbor down the hall who was Jamaican or Vietnamese or Filipino, she would tell me to get an extra piece of Patitsio or Moussaka down to the neighbor to show them what our food was about.” Growing up in a lower income neighborhood, sharing food and culture opened the door to connection.
CORFU
Whenever we recommend an extensive tour experience, we love to recommend that people begin traveling North to South to experience the difference in traditions, weather, food and experiences. Corfu is a beautiful northern island that historically spent much of history under attack or raid from pirates and countries seeking to control it for its strategic location and its bountiful resources. Located on the western coast near the border of Albania, herbs, olive trees, fruits and nuts thrive in the region. Almonds, which are featured in numerous confections, are grown locally. The finest hotels take part in making sure local food producers continue to thrive by sourcing as much as possible within the island. Olivar Suites is a perfect stay destination in the area. The serene style of the hotel compliments it’s peaceful surroundings.
KALAMATA
The products in each basket are seasonal, so the basket one might purchase to gift during the Spring or Summer could be different than the winter holiday basket. Though the story of Mazee began on the chilly streets of Ontario, Canada, our journey East continues with the winter harvest- the Kalamata Olive. From Toronto and other North American cities, you can connect through Thessaloniki to arrive in Kalamata. This capital city of Messinia is one of two protected origins, meaning olives and olive oil that are labeled as being from Kalamata must be grown in this region. These types of laws help to ensure stability for growers and healthy trade agreements. When visiting the area, your stay and the quality of that experience is just as profound as the taste of the olives. One beautiful island property that we would recommend is Elysian Luxury Hotel & Spa. After exploring the area and appreciating the beautiful scent of the olive trees in the Ionian Sea wind, a relaxing evening dinner or glass of wine provides closure to a perfect afternoon.
ATHENS
From the coast of Kalamata, to the Northeast lies the capital of Greece- Athens. One of the most important cities in history, Athens, is home to philosophers who laid the foundation for many pursuits of knowledge within Western culture. Home of the first Olympic games, the Acropolis and Parthenon, a number of UNESCO- World Heritage sites exist in its confines. We asked if there was a favorite product that people really enjoyed and about the connection their products had to Athens. “Athens is still the central exporter and everything produced in the country goes through Athens.” Quality control and freshness of exported products is of the highest standard and each product passes thrugh the region on its way to Canada and the world. As far as beloved products, ¨The product that really stands out is the honey. It is always ranked tops in the world.¨ Delicious Loumidis Coffee has been featured in the baskets and is central to Athens.
CRETE
Crete holds deeper historical significance to the continent as it was central to the Minoan civilazation. The strongest naval force navigated and conquered on both land and sea to preserve trade and expand their empire during their reign. Jim mentioned, “Crete is a country that produces a lot of the olive oil. It is usually family farms that have been around for generations, but it´s a tradition that goes back millenia.” “Crete is practically a country within itself.” Small farm and family experiences are a perfect way to support small businesses and really connect with the culture during travel and the baskets bring that experience home to you. We recommend stays at properties that mirror the values of local traditions in as many ways as possible. Elounda Collection features a family of three luxury properties with their own unique styles and a hotel community that supports the livlihood of local food artisans within its confines.
PAROS
Greece as a whole is an absolutely stunning destination, which surrounded by the Ionian and Aegean Seas, contains more than 200 inhabited islands to create the ultimate explorers dream. Sandy beach fantasy becomes reality in this beautuful country. Paros, one of the islands in the middle of the Cyclades island, feels like a storybook. Colorful boats line the shore of the quaint seaside homes with twinkling lights each night. The island is popular amongst travelers and is a perfect end destination for a Grecian tour. After exploring the sea on a boat tour, tasting local wines and enjoying the shops, which are open until midnight during the busy season a well deserved rest at Summer Senses Luxury Resort. This Small Luxury Hotel of the World resort brings the warm tones of the sea, sky and sand to the aesthetic, delivering a relaxing experience for each guest. The property contains 100 rooms, wellness, meeting facilities, bars and restaurants, your stay can be your final destination on your itinerary.
Contact Mazee Greek Food Experiences to enjoy the flavors of Greece with love from Canada and contact See The Room to touch, taste and experience Greece and its islands on your own or with the support of a trusted guide.