«He taught Greek cuisine to the people of Alaska»
Harry Nicolaides is a restaurant owner in Fairmpanks, Alaska where he happens to be the only Greek. He hails from the outskirts of Larissa, in Galanovrysi of Elassona where he grew up until fourteen years old. That’s also when he finished the second grade of high school and his parents took him with them to Seattle. From there, they moved to Vancouver. Mr Nicolaides was moved several years later to Fairmpanks because it reminded him so much of Greece. He last visited Greece in October 2010 to meet his 104-year grandmother, who raised him as he was growing in Greece.
Speaking to ellines.com, Mr. Nicolaides argues, inter alia, that «those Greeks around the world who have not followed any scientific branch, have based their carreer on restauration. Even Greek children who are born here, have inherited a restaurant, a business from their parents that they took over. If it works properly, there is a huge profit margin. I’ve learned the job as a child, thirteen to fourteen years old, I loved cooking. My father was an engineer but I did not like what he did. I preferred the kitchen. Then, when you learn a job and do it for years, the only way to grow professionally is to start your own business. So did I, choosing the Greek cuisine, mainly to attract clientele. «