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George, you are not from Rhodes originally – what brought you to Lindos?
The army! I am originally from Athens. I was serving with the Army's Special Forces and had the choice to come to one of the islands. I had visited Rhodes with my school previously and decided to come back. I got to know people, I played basketball well, made friends and stayed. I worked as a DJ in the Med Bar, Qupi Nightclub and also in restaurants. I met my wife Litsa and we had our son and settled in our house here in Lindos which is of course now Ambrosia restaurant.
What was the inspiration for Ambrosia Restaurant?
I collected many experiences over the years. I was Maitre'D in a Michelin stared restaurant in Athens. I love to cook, my passion in life is food. I wanted to use that passion and turn it into something unique. I can't imagine doing anything else.
How do you maintain your motivation and passion for food?
I keep my energy because this restaurant and its food is my obsession. I buy all the ingredients myself – every day I visit the markets and suppliers and personally select all the food. That's really important and it's how I keep my standards high. It's really personal to me. Customers say it is a personal experience for them too, that's why they keep coming back.
You must need to have a very good relationship with your chef!
Yes! Everything has to be just as I want it and my chef needs to respect that, which of course he does. To have a good restaurant you have to have confidence in what you are doing and what you are serving to your customers.
What advice do you have for anyone wishing to run their own restaurant?
Oh, well, you have to be a little bit crazy and willing to live your life through your restaurant. You must have a passion for good food and enjoy being with people and don't expect to get rich!
Finally George, if you were going to impress a woman – what would you cook her?
Seafood of course! Oh, and chocolate for dessert. Less is more, simple and chic, that's my motto! |