Written with passion, My Greek Family Table by Maria Benardis is a personal invitation to experience all the depth and flavor of Greek cuisine and the wonderful spirit of kerasma - the offering of food to those we love.

Greek cuisine has not always been considered in the highest regard in Australia, which is a strange thing as we have a huge Greek population and many talented Greek chefs and cooks in our midst.

Since a life-changing trip to Greece in 2004, Maria Benardis has dedicated her life to sharing Greek cuisine with others and inspiring their own passion for the food. In the five short years following, Ms Benardis has established a successful cooking school, Greekalicious (in Sydney), begun leading food tours of Greece, released her own range of ingredients and now this beautiful recipe book – My Greek Family Table.

Maria Benardis, a generous, kind and determined woman has had a life long love affair with the food of her homeland. From a very early age, on her grandmother’s island of Psara, when most youngsters are still battling with shoe tying, Ms Benardis was establishing a secret vegetable and herb garden overlooking the ocean – a sanctuary at a tumultuous point in her young life.

My Greek Family Table is as much a celebration of her family’s struggle as immigrants and through life’s trials as it is a reflection of their quiet love and support for one another – expressed always through the preparation and sharing of traditional Greek food.

Throughout My Greek Family Table Maria’s love and respect for her family and especially the strong women who shaped her life, shines through, reflected in the images of tablecloths and other fabrics hand crafted by the family over generations and also by the family photos and stories which intersperse the 100 recipes within. These recipes redefine Greek cuisine as it should be known: fresh, flavoursome and simple and wholesome.

With the warmer weather upon us, Maria’s use of seasonal vegetables, seafood and lamb matches perfectly with Australia’s growing interest in the use of fresh regional cuisine, homegrown entertaining and outdoor living. Be inspired this summer and share the recipes within with those you love.

My Greek Family Table by Maria Benardis is published by Penguin Lantern (2009; pb)