George
Cami's earliest memories involve family and friends gathered
round
the table for celebrations. Born and raised on Kerkyra (Corfu)
the most
beautiful island of the Ionian Islands located off the northwestern
coast of
Greece. George grew to cherish the family meals that enveloped
the
culture
of his island home. With the freshest Mediterranean
produce and seafood,
George naturally developed a passion for the kitchen,
an area he
still
considers the center of any celebration.
The
aspiring chef learned basic culinary skills at a waterside
taverna, where
he fell in love with simple preparations of whole grilled
fish, seasoned only
with fresh herbs, lemon and extra virgin olive oil. George
enjoyed mastering
the technical aspects of cooking and the chance it afforded
him to play
an active role in the "party" that a great restaurant
creates every night. After
moving to the United States George continued his persuade
in the culinary
arts by accepting positions at top Astoria's Greek restaurants.
As George's
friendship with the Neofitidis family deepened over the years,
he was
invited to cook and dine with them on numerous family occasions.
Together,
they realize their mutual dream of opening a restaurant
specializing
in traditional Greek cuisine.