Ep/024: The Greek Chef Reviving His Country’s Culinary Heritage
"I'm very proud of what we have here. The quality and the product are genuine... I'm doing exactly the same food that I remember eating as a kid in Greece. This is what I’m doing here, and I don’t want to change it."
Yannis Papameletis
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In this episode of Storefront Strategies, I sit down with Yannis Papameletis, the proud owner of Just Greek in Penrith. Yannis shares his inspiring journey from Greece to the UK, starting as an employee and eventually becoming the owner of this award-winning Greek takeaway. We explore the challenges he faced in adapting to a new business environment, the authenticity that drives his food, and the importance of staying true to his roots.
What You’ll Learn:
· [00:02:00] From Greece to Penrith: Yannis’s journey to the UK and how he discovered an opportunity to bring authentic Greek cuisine to Cumbria.
· [00:04:10] Authentic Greek Food: How Yannis and his fiancée, Maria, prepare genuine Greek dishes with ingredients imported directly from Greece.
· [00:08:30] Challenges and Community Support: The role of the local community in Just Greek’s success, including Yannis’s reflections on handling difficult times, especially during COVID.
· [00:10:00] Staying True to Tradition: Yannis discusses his commitment to authenticity, from recipes to customer service, and why he doesn’t follow trends for the sake of change.
· [00:12:20] Marketing and Word of Mouth: The power of word-of-mouth recommendations and how Yannis uses social media to connect with his customers.
Key Takeaway:
Success doesn’t come from shortcuts; it’s built on hard work, community support, and staying true to your values. Yannis’s story is a testament to the power of authenticity in business.
Follow Just Greek Penrith
Connect with Yannis and Just Greek on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or download their app for the latest menu and updates. Search for "Just Greek Penrith" on your favourite platform to find them.
Tune in to hear the inspiring story of a business owner dedicated to bringing a slice of Greece to the heart of Penrith. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories from brick-and-mortar businesses!
Additional Resources:
For hands-on guidance in building your own business foundation, check out our free workshop, “Plan Your Business On One Page”. This workshop provides a step-by-step approach to creating a Business Model Canvas and action plan tailored to your goals.
Be sure to subscribe to Storefront Strategies for more actionable insights on building a successful brick-and-mortar business. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review!
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Don’t forget to subscribe to Storefront Strategies for more inspiring stories and actionable tips from successful brick-and-mortar business owners. Please leave us a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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Special Thanks:
Special thanks to all our listeners joining us for this journey. Your engagement and feedback fuel our mission to empower each business owner to succeed.
Stay tuned for more in-depth discussions, expert interviews, and actionable advice tailored for bricks and mortar entrepreneurs. Let's build strong foundations and thriving businesses together!
