Building a Legacy

Posted by estiator at 10 February, at 08 : 00 AM Print

COVER STORY

Industry leaders share family stories.

As told to Michael Kaminer

In our community, family and business are often inseparable. While our pages often focus on the “business” side of that equation, we thought it was time to spotlight family— especially after such a challenging year. Who inspires you? Who’s influenced you? Whose spirit continues to guide you? We asked for your stories; you opened your hearts to share words and images of parents, in-laws, uncles, aunts, popous, and yiayias whose wisdom and love light our paths forward. Estiator, as many of you know, is a proudly generational venture.

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“How could a Greek son not say his mother! I am inspired every day by this woman, from instilling our Greek culture in our upbringing to constantly reminding us of our values. I saw the hard work and determination my mother, Vasiliki Tsolakis, put in raising me and my brothers and with her courage allows me to be a successful restaurateur.”

—DEMETRI TSOLAKIS, RESTAURATEUR, GRECO, COMMITTEE, BOSTON

“Female inspiration comes in many forms in the Tampakis family, starting with the matriarch, our maternal grandmother Pitsa, to the woman who keeps it all together, our mother Michelle, and ends with two sisters Panagiota and Sophia. Each woman exemplifies different forms of inspiration— strength, determination, focus, love, creativity, individuality. Having a mother in the same field ensured that I would always stay focused, creating new goals and breaking new barriers while watching both of my sisters, in completely different professions, succeed as young women. I am so fortunate to be raising two young women of my own to become future innovators, future leaders. PS: This photo was taken in Kalamata, our favorite place on Earth!”

—MARIA TAMPAKIS, EXECUTIVE CHEF, FOUR SEASONS NEW YORK DOWNTOWN

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“Pictured here is my grandfather Bill Koikos (l.) and great-uncle Pete Koikos (2nd from l.) before a major renovation of The Bright Star in 1965. The young gentleman on the far right is Nick Koikos, Bill’s son, my uncle, and current owner of the Bright Star. I love this photo since it represents the longevity of The Bright Star. The booths and tile floors remain to this day. My grandfather and greatuncle embodied the American Dream, and they would be so proud the restaurant continues today.”

—STACEY CRAIG, CO-OWNER, THE BRIGHT STAR, BESSEMER, AL

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“I’ve always loved to cook, and when framing my career as a chef, I looked up to my mother-in-law, Georgia Lyras. Georgia was ahead of her time raising a family, working as a nurse while also going to culinary school, and subsequently working in the food world. A member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, she authored numerous Greek cookbooks, partnered with food brands to develop Greek recipes and threw epic dinner parties. Her cookbook ‘Yes You Can Cook Greek: Elegant but Easy Greek Cooking’ was instrumental for my own cooking and recipe development.”

—CHRISTINA XENOS, FOUNDER, SWEET GREEK PERSONAL CHEF SERVICES, LOS ANGELES

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“In my life, I was most heavily influenced by my father and my grandfather, but the person who really kept the family together, and encouraged all of us to be the best versions of ourselves, was my beautiful mother, Artemis.”

—CHEF MARIA LOI, RESTAURATEUR, ENTREPRENEUR, CULINARY AMBASSADOR

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“My father, John (pictured), has been my inspiration since I was a kid washing dishes in my family’s restaurant in Virginia. It was my father who taught me to work hard and treat people with respect. His example set a standard for how I approach work and family and today, at all of our Showmars restaurants, It’s my goal to instill those same values in our culture, food, and service. Looking ahead, as Showmars continues to serve the Carolinas fresh, made-to-order food, I’ll look to my father’s legacy to motivate and inspire me.”

—DEAN PEROULAS, CEO, SHOWMARS RESTAURANTS

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“My uncle Christ Stavrou (pictured). Also known to many as ‘O Kypreos.’ Uncle Christ was a successful restaurateur who operated over a dozen restaurants for more than five decades in Chicago and the suburbs before passing away in 2007 at the age of 81. He sponsored our family of four to come to the United States from Cyprus, helped us settle in, buy a house, and was instrumental in encouraging my father to purchase his own restaurant after three short years of working for him at his high-volume restaurant called Snack Time in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Uncle Christ taught us to love and appreciate this country. His love for the church, the family, and his dedicated service to the community inspires me to this day in everything I do. His fondness for real estate also influenced my brother Fano and me, so that as a result, we have two business ventures, one in the restaurant industry and the other in real estate and property management.”

—STEVE THEOFANOUS, CO-OWNER, AROUND THE CLOCK RESTAURANT & BAKERY, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

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“The Ritter’s Diner family has its humble beginnings in Vlahokerasia, Greece. The Velisaris family numbered eight by 1941: parents Yianni and Eleni, their daughter and five sons. They struggled to make ends meet and suffered many hardships, including occupation of their home by German soldiers during World War II. In 1951, Eleni committed the most unselfish act she could: She sent two of her sons, George, 17, and Orestis, 15, to the United States to live with her brother. If all worked out as was planned, they would make their lives in a new country and never return to live in Greece. George and Orestis worked hard, starting in the restaurant business. Their early wages were $1 per week, and, amazingly, they saved their money while also contributing to their sister’s προίκα. They eventually sent for another brother, Peter, in the mid-sixties, and later Perry. They acquired Ritter’s Diner from another Greek restaurateur in 1966. The modest dinercar restaurant had six booths and a dozen counter seats. In 1975, they expanded to a larger facility, and later added an addition to meet demand. We have now owned the business for more than 55 years. All four of the brothers who immigrated to the United States were married. Among the four of them, they had 10 children. All 10 of the children married, and they added 29 young Velisaris family members. Pappou Yianni died in October 1996 at the age of 96. Yiayia Eleni died five days later, also 96, likely from a broken heart. We owe everything we have to her and to the work ethic she instilled in her sons and one that continues to all future generations. May her memory be eternal.”

—STACIE VELISARIS DE LA PARRA, CO-OWNER, RITTER’S DINER, PITTSBURGH, PA

“Growing up in a Greek family, food was very important part of daily life. My mother has been both an influence and inspiration for my love of cooking. She was an amazing cook and baker. Mom had a sweet tooth and loved to bake the traditional Greek pastries and always looking for a new favorite treat! Our children were blessed to spend time with her and always requested fresh-baked Yiayia’s bread. Fresh out of the oven with butter, brings back amazing memories. All three kids enjoy cooking and learning Greek recipes passed down from Yiayia Noula. This past Christmas the kids bought me a beautiful recipe book to fill in with all of Yiayia’s recipes. It gives me joy knowing that the next generation will continue the traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation!”

—BEBA TOULOUPIS, CO-OWNER, TED’S RESTAURANT, BIRMINGHAM, AL

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