Create Your Own Greek Feast
WORDS : CHYKA KEEBAUGH
PHOTOS : SWEET GREEK + PINTEREST
Like everyone around the world at the moment - overseas travel is off the cards…
…And as much as travelling around our own backyard excites me - there is one place I am longing for - GREECE! So what do you do when you can’t physically get to Greece? Bring Greece home to you!
Having my kids home has been amazing, and I have loved spending time with them, and of course, their friends. Chessie planned a little dinner party at home, and with Greece on my mind, I knew exactly who to turn to for the most incredible and authentic Greek food - Sweet Greek at the Prahran markets. Kathy is amazing at all she does, her food is absolutely delicious, and the produce I pick up from this store is always devoured!
For Chessie‘s dinner party, Sweet Greek was my one-stop-shop to get the most delicious Slow Lamb, Lemon Potatoes, Greek salad, Pita bread, stuffed dolmades and who could forget - an array of amazing dips. There really is nothing better than taking a theme to the extreme to make this an enjoyable and delicious night.
So with the menu taken care of, all I needed to do was dress up the table and surrounds to work with our Greek theme. Setting the table with blue and white gingham tablecloth and red geraniums or bouganvilias is a fun way to start and get those greek vibes flowing, setting up a bar area that features greek wines and spirits and serving the meal on various platters for the guests to help themselves. This is a theme where the food certainly is the hero of the night, so a simple table was all that was required - fresh white plates, glassware that blends in rather than stand out and a great napkin for all those finger foods and platters!
3 Must-do’s for your next dinner party!
I love a good playlist that relates to your theme, and this Greek party was no different! Browsing playlists on Spotify led me to this fun greek playlist called ‘Best Greek Songs’ and it was the soundtrack to a very fun.
Your local bottle shop may stock a collection of international wines and spirits to choose from (if not, the larger ones certainly do) and this always brings a little more authenticity to the setting as well as introducing you and your guests to some new flavours. So think about your theme and plan accordingly.
Need a little inspiration to get you into your Greek theme? How about catching up on some fun films filmed in Greece? Just to name a few….Mamma Mia, For Your Eyes Only, Shirley Valentine, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, The Guns of Navarone…
Inspired?
Of course, you are! OK, so let’s get you excited about a delicious Greek dinner party. For those from Melbourne - I am sure you have heard me talk about my love of the area of Oakleigh and it’s Greek community. Eaton Mall is home to the most amazing food stops and a few of my favourites are…
Nikos Since 1987 Nikos has been treating the neighbourhood to their cakes, pastries, coffee and custom made sweets. Through a commitment to quality and service, founders Nick and Tass Poupouzas and their dedicated team have produced some of the most spectacular and unique cake designs.
Meat me is the home of all things Souvlaki! With a huge menu covering all your salty-meaty needs, this eatery is always bustling and I am a sucker for their chips, delish!
Vanilla Lounge offers an extensive selection of Mediterranean and Greek fare as well as desserts to die for. With pastry chefs onsite this is another go-to for all your cake needs.
While this year for me is going to be more about exploring Australia, there is no reason why you cant create some fun nights with friends celebrating your favourite holiday destinations…just like we did!
