Remembering Vefa Alexiadou, a culinary icon who transformed Greek cuisine
We pay tribute to our Greece the Cookbook author who has died aged 91.
All of us at Phaidon were very sad to hear of the passing of Vefa Alexiadou, a true legend of the food world, and the much-loved author of our bestselling Greece the Cookbook.
Widely recognised as the matriarch of modern Greek cooking, Vefa left an indelible mark on the culinary world through her groundbreaking cookbooks, engaging and lively television appearances, and her tireless advocacy for preserving Greek culinary traditions.
Born in Volos, Greece, on March 19, 1933, Vefa pursued an early career in chemistry before a deep-rooted passion for food led her to redefine the international perception of Greek cuisine .
From Vefa Alexiadou's Greece the Cookbook
Alexiadou's scientific background - she studied chemistry and nutrition at Aristotle University, Thessaloniki and later in the United States - provided her with a meticulous, methodical approach to food. Her exposure to traditional Greek recipes from her mother, a Constantinopolitan, and the influence of American culinary icon Julia Child, inspired her to bridge tradition with innovation. A unique blend of heritage and precision would become her hallmark, transforming her passion for cooking from a personal love into a public mission .
From Vefa Alexiadou's Greece the Cookbook
In 1980, she self-published Invitation to Dinner, a cookbook that revolutionised Greek culinary literature by including full-colour photos and international measurement standards - an unprecedented approach at the time. The book set the stage for a series of successful publications, including Greek Cuisine, and Greek Pastries and Desserts.
Her crowning achievement however, was undoubtedly Greece the Cookbook, (initially published under the name Vefa’s Kitchen) a 704-page compendium of recipes and reminiscences, routinely described as the definitive guide to Greek cooking.
From Vefa Alexiadou's Greece the Cookbook
Published in English, French, Spanish, and Italian, it became an essential reference book, not only in Greece, but also in the kitchens of Greek diaspora communities in North America, the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Alexiadou expanded her influence through television, appearing on Greek networks such as ANT1 and engaging audiences across the Greek diaspora via satellite broadcasts.
From Vefa Alexiadou's Greece the Cookbook
Her appearances on international shows, most notably The Martha Stewart Show, brought Greek cuisine into the living rooms of people who’d never attempt to make it at home, and in so doing, turned her into a global ambassador for Greek gastronomy .
Despite her public success, Alexiadou’s culinary journey was also a personal one. She often credited her mother’s recipes and storytelling for igniting her passion for food.
From Vefa Alexiadou's Greece the Cookbook
“My mother had an inexhaustible source of recipes and emphasised the need for each dish to look as attractive as it tasted,” she said, going on to explain how her mother “conveyed the beauty of her homeland in the unforgettable tastes and aromas of food that tantalised everyone’s tastebuds.”
This emotional connection to food resonated through her work and played a large part in making the recipes in Greece the Cookbook feel both authentic and approachable .
From Vefa Alexiadou's Greece the Cookbook
Alexiadou’s impact went beyond cookbooks and television; she served on the board of the Centre for the Preservation of Traditional Greek Gastronomy, ensuring that Greece’s culinary heritage remained vibrant and relevant.
Her dedication earned her numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gourmand Awards in Sweden in 2023. Through her work, Alexiadou not only preserved Greece’s rich food traditions but also elevated its global culinary reputation .
All of us at Phaidon are very proud to have been associated with Vefa and to have played a small part in helping to spread her incredible knowledge and passion for Greek food far and wide.
