Junior Chef

Each month, f&he offers aspiring young chefs the chance to share with us their budding culinary skills in the kitchen and prepare a favourite dish.

- Hasmita Amtha

Greek lamb or baklava?” I asked 10-year old Demi Anaïs Koutsoudakis, affectionately known as Demi, and her little brother Maximo, aka eight-year-old Max. Without giving it a second thought, both enthusiastically agreed that Greek roasted leg of lamb is enjoyed most at their family gatherings, and it would undoubtedly form part of their Christmas lunch menu this year – however, syrupy baklava came fairly close in their festive foodie favourites. Kids of Maira and John Koutsoudakis of the Life Group of Companies (internationally awarded interiors and architecture practice, and owners of the eponymous Life Grand Cafés), the family is rooted in their strong Greek heritage. They have learned many of their culinary skills from both their yiayias, Maira’s mom, Demi Tsouroulis, and John’s mom, Kallie Koutsoudakis – both of whose fathers owned successful artisan bakeries.

Today, the Koutsoudakis siblings have invited us into the comfort of their kitchen, to showcase their Mediterranean cooking skills with a Nutella brioche pizza served with baklava and vanilla pod ice cream, berries and chocolate shavings... any child’s happy place and for adults – pure indulgence!

Both children are quite familiar with the kitchen, as they are often found helping out in one of the kitchens of the Life Grand Cafés – Mom has always shared her love of food with her children. “I’ve adored food all my life – I mean, I’m Greek! We have olive oil flowing through our veins!” exclaims Maira.