My favourite Greek chef David Tsirekas tends to the Halloumi
Food is sizzling on the BBQ, a whole lamb is roasting on the spit and suddenly there’s a frisson, people are whispering and eyes are widened as the gossip passes through the crowd “He’s here!! He’s here!” they say. “Who is here” I ask Reem. “George Colambaris” she says smiling knowingly. “Oh” I say knowing of George’s dislike for bloggers and quotes such as “The biggest comment we get now is from girls who go to the toilet and love the moisturiser. You could put a dog turd on the plate and they’d still talk about the hand cream.” Meh, I say staying put. My favourite Greek chef is right at the BBQ, Perama’s David Tsirekas and Adriano Zumbo has just walked in. No need to get excited about a man who thinks he can serve me a dog turd and I’d be happy.
Adriano Zumbo
David’s father George
Like a Greek Family BBQ, all the generations are present and I am greeted with the sight of David’s father George who is tending to the lamb on the spit and Jenny his talented mum who makes the delectable pastry for his restaurant. Then there’s David’s wife Belinda who herself is a blogger and their two adorable daughters Mia who is 6 and Ruby who is almost 2 who manages to captivate everyone with her antics.
David’s mum Jenny
Reem and George
In the centre of the table there’s a plate of homemade pickles and dips such as taramasalata, tzatziki, split pea and a smokey eggplant dip. They are all great but the split pea has me coming back for more. “Pace yourself” everyone says to each other. If we know anything it’s that there will be a lot of food. Mr NQN hasn’t eaten at all today in anticipation of this feast. The pickles and olives are sweet but sour in that lovely pickle dichotomy.
Ruby and the hard fought souvlaki-look at that face!
Slices of BBQ’d halloumi are passed around and I forcibly restrain myself from eating more. I adore halloumi, the squeaky cheese with the crispy outer and spongy inner and this one is perfect and not too salty. Souvlaki are then passed around but not without incident. Little Ruby wants a Souvlaki but mum Belinda tells her in a soft voice “No it’s too hot”. Ruby is determined to have one and so mum relents but Ruby doesnt’ want just any souvlaki but the one given to another guest and she cries and points until the souvlaki is hers.
Chorizo, souvlaki and chicken wings on the BBQ
Sliced chorizo
Slices of chorizo come out next and then chicken wings and sausages. And these are just the canapes! I know to save room for the dessert as there are chcoolate, peanut butter and sour cherry ice cream sandwiches which are part of Perama’s Sugar Hit which I know absolutely have to be tasted. So when lunch is ready, I reluctantly pace myself and help myself to the food.
Salads and pastry array
Bean salad
Potato salad
Jenny’s cheese pastries
Jenny’s fantastic lemon potatoes
There’s an array of food like rice salad, potato salad, a beautiful rocket, walnut and fig salad, bean salad, Greek salad and Jenny’s spinach and cheese filo pastry, cheese filled pastry and mouth watering lemon potatoes. 
Rocket & Fig salad
Greek salad
“I’ve been told to sit by the lamb when it’s about ready and to get the skin as that’s the best bit” Reem says and when the lamb is ready we eagerly help ourselves to the lamb. We get a slice of the skin and the fatty part and it’s very moist and tender.
Ruby’s boyfriend for the day. What a cutie!
Mia and her thankyou collage
David flanked by his daughter Mia who is holding up a sticker collage thanks everyone for coming and reminds us of the reason why we’re here: to support Street Smart which is a charity that helps the homeless and the down and out with accommodation, food and longer term strategies to help to empower them with skills and move out of homelessness. David has very generously donated $60 for each ticket sold to Street Smart which is over 50% of the ticket price. He’s a generous soul with a big heart (and a mean cooking arm).
@Carmr and George (who generously donated $600 on the day)
Melomakarona biscuits
Portuguese Custard Tarts
We’re all rather full but we know that David’s desserts can make a grown man squeal like a girl so we help ourselves to the goodies. The nutty, syrupy Melomakarona biscuits are delicious. The portuguese custard tarts have an earth shatteringly crisp pastry.
The amazing ice cream sandwich
The chocolate and peanut butter with sour cherry and vanilla ice cream sandwich is as good as it sounds and possibly even more. There is just enough peanut butter but not too much so it gives it a salty richness and the sour cherries are lovely in it. And yes I think I finished the whole huge triangle.
The Greek pastry is lovely and moist from the syrup and has an unusual texture – almost spongey.
So tell me Dear Reader, would you be completely won over by the products in a restaurant bathroom? Would it change your opinion of the food there?
Donations can be made to Street Smart Australia.
NQN and Mr NQN attended as guests of David Tsirekas
Tsikeras Family BBQ
Cost: $100 ($60 of which goes directly to Street Smart)
When: Sunday, the 18th of October
Perama Restaurant
88 Audley Street, Petersham, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9569 7534
Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm-10:30pm
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58 Comments | Add your own
Oh my, that is a feast! Lamb on a spit, BBQ’d cheese, all the sides and those ice cream sandwiches…I need some Greek friends
Won over? Definitely not! I might mention it when I got back from the bathroom but the food is WAY more important.
Those desserts look fabulous and I’m sure that I would not have stopped at a bite, no matter how much halloumi I ate
What an incredible feast! I love lamb, and Portuguese egg tarts & halloumi, in any order. And Ruby’s fierce look of concentration was perfectly captured…
TOTALLY with you on this one Lorraine. I don’t know how George Calombaris made it as a chef when he doesn’t even know what Hainanese Chicken is OR gets grossed out with Century Eggs. The lunch spread you had looks divine! I love the Greek generosity!
Did you speak to George at all?!
wow that food looks amazing, i dont eat meat but all those salad are making me hungry….
well done finishing the ice cream sandwich, i firmly believe there is always room for dessert no matter how much you eat hehe!!
What a worthy cause! What food! What droolworthiness! I can’t decide what I’d devour first!
Did you ‘accidentally on purpose’ elbow George in the ribs? That comment is just so offensive!!! He’s the screaming turd if you ask me! Best he get himself a PR person and quick!
Hmmm, some chefs really are precious about food bloggers. Most restaurant customers are normal people, not professional food critics but that doesn’t stop them having an opinion on restaurants and sharing their opinion – it happens all the time but usually in a more informal way than blogging! So how is blogging so different to that? Surely reading a blogger’s review of your restaurant is just another way of getting feedback from your customers and it gives the chef insight into what the customers are thinking??
All the food looks totally delicious!! I love the flavours of Greek food and how they use lots of veggies!
Ruby is adorable! I am up for the lamb and an icecream sandwich please – yum!
I am totally completely jealous.
oh wow the food looks awesome, what a great man for being so giving.
i like it when restaurants have pretty toilets with nice soaps and moisturisers. and decorations. i think the nicest bathroom i’ve been to is at the steel bar and grill – and after that would be becasse.
This post has me weeping with food envy – it looks like heaven! Amazing.
Nice facilities definitely makes the whole experience pleasant, but it wouldn’t change my opinion on the meal itself!! Silly George
Hahaha I loved your little George rant. I certainly wouldn’t give a toss about the hand cream if the food was bad. The food looks fabulous, and Ruby’s boyfriend – what a stud!
What a feast!! I would love to attend such a feast myself. It’s clear that George has attracted your ire and I cannot blame you. He is attacking you’re very livelihood. However, his comments regarding bloggers and moisturiser demonstrate not just his dislike of bloggers but the fact that he doesn’t understand women at all. I could easily be distracted in a restaurant by finding an expensive and lovely moisturiser in the rest room. It would be such a rare event as to easily distract me, but would never detract or distract from my feelings about an excellent meal. He is very rude to suggest such a thing and such a comment could be described as misoginistic. And I think he might be sorry for saying it, blogging just might be the future of restaurant reviewing and he is definately getting off on the wrong foot, with both feet in his mouth!
Actually, this Adelaide foodie (we are terrible food snobs) ate at a Melbourne eatery (who shall remain nameless) on the weekend. Whilst the atmosphere was good (not great), and the food was good (not great), what tipped it into the ‘average arena’ was the fact that in the bathrooms they had Aesop handwash…….but they had cheaply watered it down….George…it does matter!!! Nb. Shout out to Movida, best tapas in Melbourne…with ‘unwatered down’ Aesop handwash.
good lord! That food looks absolutely wonderful! Fabulous pictures. Just unbelievable! How lucky for you attend!
boo to george’s bad attitude! doesn’t he understand that it’s food bloggers like you that get people excited about food and eating out?
im dying for those lemon potatoes!
I have no lasting memory of any bathroom products! Food, service and ambience of course otherwise I’d best stay home or go to a day spa!
Wow! What a wonderful event for a great charity. And huh? I don’t even remember what the bathroom looks like once I’m out of there, as long as it’s clean!
Great event! And all the food look fantastic. And all for a good cause. The most popular products in the bathrooms here are aesop. I love it. But if the food is crap, it doesn’t change my opnion of it.
That looks like a fantastic BBQ, and it’s a great idea to combine a (mainly) family & friends get-together with a fundraiser for a good cause. Love the look of the rocket & fig salad and those ice-cream sandwiches!
I found it necessary to take a few walks on the day to digest the food. David and his family rock. They are fabulous generous hosts.
I also want to congratulate Mr NQN for his photography. He was really hard at work on the day!
Oh and for the record, I pay attention to all of it, food, bathroom, the lot. It’s a package thing.
Here is my blogpost of the StreetSmart BBQ http://bit.ly/1IDR6y and here’s a thought to throw into the arena – George Calombaris could just be winding folks up you know.
I would definitely notice the handwash if it was a cut above usual. However, the food, atmosphere and the people involve are ALWAYS more memorable than a facility.
i have eaten in some pretty erk places with not all that clean facilities but had sensational meals!
Thanks for this great post Lorraine, ah, the memories! The highlight of my SFF by a 10ft souvlaki! Not a turd on a plate to be seen…
Love this post, the food looks fabulous and love your comments about George BAHAHAH!
All that fabulous food (for a great cause) puts the usual ol’ backyard barbie to shame. I’ll have to try bbq-ing haloumi next time.
And I think that a restaurant’s toiletries are a reflection of their overall consideration of their customers. The best restaurants (whether 5-star or the neighbourhood local) have good products in the loos and on the plates (separately!)
I’m going to find a way to use frission in every sentence!
Oh my goodness.. David Tsirekas is the king of feasts! Oohh everything just looks absolutely delicious!!!!
I would notice the handwash too – only because it’s not something I expect to be top notch, so when it is, its all the more pleasantly surprising.
Of course the food comes first! I think George is a bit of a mysoginist and kind of snobby in saying that people dont care about the food. How rude!!
ANYWAY – That food all looks so bloody awesome. Mmmmm meat! And haloumi. *drool*
What an absolute feast and a great cause.
NQN, I am droooooooling at the lovely pictures. You are so so lucky to live in a place where you can taste so many different ethnic cuisines. I want to try everything from everywhere before my taste buds wither away. I shall eat vicariously through your words and your picture, eh? Jenny’s cheese pastries caught my eye- it looks like a boregi-ish sort of thing- is that close to what it was?? Is there a chance you can get her recipe to share with this poor slobbering whimpering girl in Arkansas??? I am sitting here at my laptop at 11:30 pm waiting on my ‘pasta madre’ for panettone to be ready for its next addition. I will be making a dough at 1am- bad timing on my part, but bread and tides wait for no man, eh?
Girl, you rock!
Your fellow foodie,
June (AKA the Mad Baker!)
Ok Lorraine, I NEED you to cook some greek food and share recipes.. particularly the lemon potatoes and the cheese pastries.. ohhh droooooool.
See, Lulu agress with me- cheese pastries recipe, please!
Oh oh oh what a feast! For a great cause too.
I often discuss the toilet facilities of restaurants.. I think it’s quite important! Of course, I still frequent restaurants that have terrible toilets if I love the food (my favourite burger place, and one of my favourite pizzerias have awful toilets you need to traipse out a scary alley to get to) but I really appreciate it when a restaurant puts in effort to make the whole food experience good, from beginning to ultimate end! haha
Oh, goodness! That’s a lot of lovely eats – but it was the grilled halloumi that stopped me in my tracks. Tasty!
the cheese pastries look too good. Looks like you had a ball. What a great cause as well.
mmmm….!
amazing food. i need to move back to sydney and hang out with you Lorraine! is anyone elses mouth watering . . . ?
Fantabulous post as always Lorraine – that pic of Ruby is priceless
what a day! So much food, and little Ruby! What a star! As is of course, the wonderful David Tsirekas, his mum Jenny and Dad George and of course Belinda and Mia and the rest of the family that helped out
*drools* Omg! I tried the ice cream sandwich at the Sugar Hit and I thought it was heavenly!! David and his family sure know how to cook up a feast! And although I would appreciate some good quality products in a restaurant bathroom, it does not win me over if the food and service are crap!
Oh my! my mouth is doing some major watering.. It looks simply divine.
the greek pastries in this spread pale only in comparison to the lovely climate. oh, how i dread winter.
This looks like such a fun day. I am always up for an excuse to make a piggy of myself. I am especially drooling over the sweets (which for me is always the main event).
Oh YUUMM!! It so is BBQ weather now isn’t it! Hee hee and yay for whole lamb on the spit mmmm
hahaha the photo of the kid munching on the souvlaki is priceless!
We used to have Greek neighbours and we thanked our lucky stars for ‘Greek Easter’ so we could eat lamb on a spit!
Wow, what a nice feast…love to try them all…nice pictures!
Hi my name is stavros and i am the biggest fan of nqn in Greece….!!!! Nice greek party !!!! i invite everyone to Greece ( especially summer pls ) for the next delicious greek fest !!!!!
What an amazing spread. Not to mention that it was all for a great cause…
Goodness, George isn’t very friendly to bloggers, is he? I would probably notice the little things, like the bathroom, and it would greatly add to my impression of the restaurant. But food comes first. And the food at that bbq looks divine! I was totally drooling at the desserts!
This looks like it was such a fun time! The spread of food is mouth-watering, especially the halloumi…I adore it too!
Ruby is a complete doll…so adorable!
Yummie,,thats looks like the best BBQ ever!
Looks like a fantastic day that supported a wonderful charity. I love home- made food where multiple generations of a family have gotten involved to make the food.
Oh what an excellent feast! Crispy skin from the lamb on a spit.. mmm. Lucky thing indeed!
You are making me so homesick it’s silly!!!
I couldn’t care less about bathrooms, some of the best food in Sydney is from places with questionable facilities! Although if I’m at an expensive establishment I do expect something nice. I’d never use handcream as you never know when you might need to eat something with your fingers! George really needs to chill out – did anyone see this article: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/youre-banned-for-life-masterchefs-george-in-sell-out-twitter-spat-20091002-gfcu.html
Hi Brittany -Haha yes they’re great aren’t they!
Hi Amy-Yes me too!
Halloumi is my absolute weakness 
Hi Helen-She was so cute! I loved Mr NQN’s pic of her!
Hi Trissa-Haha if it’s not Greek then it’s not on his radar! Yes it was amazing
Hi LC-No. There were plenty of other people that wanted to though.
Hi buggy-Yes my stomach was saving a space for that one I believe
Hi Liss-Haha I didn’t go near him
Yes he really needs a PR person desperately!
Hi Gab-I know, I wonder if they get mad when they read review sites? Exactly I don’t get the attitude but we’re obviously vastly different people George and I
I love the use of lemon!
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe she is and they were fantastic!
Hi Vita-Aww next year perhaps for you?
Hi Betty-Yes he’s a very generous soul. I haven’t been to Steel (is Steel inside?) and Becasse’s are nice.
Hi Zam-It was a feast par excellence. I agree!
Hi Steph-Yes certainly I’m sure that we wouldn’t sit back and accept a turd on a plate! Haha he even had his collar raised!
Hi Theresa-Yes that’s the bit I think that annoys me more. It’s patronising and rude! Haha yes indeed, I agree with you there!
Hi Lucy-Watered down handwash? Haha! But don’t encourage him
Hi Lea Ann-It was such a lovely feast!
Hi A Girl Called E-I don’t think he does sadly!
Oh yes I’d love to get my hands on that recipe! 
Hi Angie-I may remember it but it’s gone about a week later whilst the food lingers on in the memory
Hi shaz-Haha yes definitely no dirty bathrooms!
Hi penny-Ahh Aesop is nice indeed but yes crap food is crap food!
Hi Suzanne-Yes it’s a brilliatn idea
Mmmm those ice cream sandwiches were divine!
Hi aptronym-They were amazing hosts. He always takes great shots!
Hi brussellsprout-Ahh that’s true, some places, especially Shanghai dumpling places don’t have very nice bathrooms at all but it’s the food that counts!
Hi felixexplody-It was great seeing you again!
Yes such lovely food and company memories 
Haha!
Hi Amanda-Hehe thankyou! I suppose I had to get it out of my system
Hi Belle-Yes chucking some on the BBQ is a great idea! True true but they should match if they’re 5 star I think.
Hi Blond Duck-Haha I look forward to reading that story!
Hi Trisha-He sure is!
It was fabbo!
Hi Esz-Yes there is so much wrong with what he said!
I know all that meat was fantastic!
Hi Syrie-Agreed!
Hi June-We Sydney siders definitely are!
Yes it was as a matter of fact! I don’t know if she would share her recipe though, these sorts of things are usually well protected 
Wow, your dedication is admirable! 
Thankyou!
Hi Lulu-I’m a bit recipe less for Greek food but I’d definitely like to learn some! Yes the lemon potatoes, I will definitely investigate those as they were incredible!
Hi June-Haha ok but I can’t promise anything!
Hi Conor-Absolutely!
Yes what we’ll do for good food! 
Hi Midge-Yes grilled halloumi gets me weak at the knees!
Hi Adrian-Absolutely, it was the perfect afternoon!
Hi Kylie-Hehe Sydney is where it’s happening, especially in October!
Hi Belinda-Thankyou for the amazing hospitality! She’s such a doll!
Hi Reemski-Yes what a wonderful family!
Hi Betty-We need more access to them don’t we! I’ll gladly hand over a wad of cash for a caseload of them!
Here here!
Hi ArtemisIII-It was as amazing as it looked, believe me!
Hi grace-Oh Grace you need to move here!
Hi Heavenly Housewife-Hehe we certainly did!
Hi Ffichiban-Don’t you just love a spit roast?
Hi Lex-She’s a darling isn’t she!
Hi Christie-Oh yes Greek Easter is like a foodie’s Christmas!
Hi Juliana-Thankyou very much!
Hi stavros-Aww cool thanks so much Stavros!
How much fun would that be!? 
Hi Katherine-Yes it’s such a worthwhile charity!
Hi Chris-Food is #1 isn’t it! Oh they’re definitely worth saving room for
Hi Faith-Yes it’s so easy to eat a lot of isn’t it! I think we all wanted to kidnap her and adopt her!
Hi Beau-Hehe it was!
Hi sandra-Yes it was really lovely just like Greek feast should be with every generation!
Hi Forager-It was a fantastic lamb!
Such a shame you had to miss it!
Hi April Marie-Aww sorry!!
Hi Jen-Yes there is expectation with a nice establishment but the food is really the most important thing. I saw that-I mean he has anger management iss-ewes me thinks!
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