Hi there, I’m Vicky, a home cook and food enthusiast who created this space as a creative outlet to document my diverse food experiences. From exciting restaurant finds at home or abroad to cherished family recipes and brand-new culinary experiments, this is where my food journey unfolds.
My Roots in Flavour
Food has always played a starring role in my life. A huge part of this is thanks to my Greek heritage; growing up in Greece meant that seasons and religious holidays were intricately linked with special, traditional foods. The other, equally vital, influence has been my incredible family, especially my mother and grandmother.
My grandmother has been a home cook since her early teens. She left Naxos at just 13 to work as a maid in Athens, shortly after surviving a great famine on the island during World War II. For me, she was always the one who cooked delicious meals for our entire family. I cherish those fond memories of arriving at her flat after school, greeted by a hot, delicious plate of food, a warm smile, and a hug. I only wish I’d appreciated it more at the time and complained less about the few foods I didn’t like – which I now find absolutely delicious!
My mother, a stay-at-home parent, often helped with my dad’s business, leaving much of the daily cooking to my grandmother. However, that never diminished her talent in the kitchen. I always loved watching them both work together, or even separately but in constant touch over the phone (sometimes you just need two ovens!), to prepare for special events or holidays. And, of course, I always enjoyed the mouth-watering results. As she’s had more time over the years, my mother has loved trying new recipes from online or TV, and perfecting old family favourites, often giving them a modern twist.
I’ve learned almost everything I know about cooking (and about delicious food in general) from these two incredible women, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder; since moving to the UK, I’ve appreciated them and their culinary gifts even more. As I build my own family and new traditions with my loving and encouraging husband, I hope to honour my family’s heritage while continually expanding my culinary knowledge and experiences.
What You’ll Discover Here
On Tasty Food Ventures, my aim is to explore various cuisines. While Greek cuisine will always hold a special place in my heart, I love trying new things, especially when it comes to food! You’ll find adventures from the vibrant food scene in Athens, where I grew up, to the incredibly diverse culinary landscape in the UK – particularly in and around London – and beyond.
For me, exploring a cuisine isn’t just about dining out at lovely restaurants, though you’ll certainly find plenty of restaurant reviews here. It’s also about trying classic recipes, being creative, and adapting dishes to your taste and what’s locally available. While the UK might not be famous for its specific cuisine, there’s fantastic produce to be found, especially near the countryside and at exciting farmer’s markets in the cities. Great locally-sourced ingredients truly elevate any recipe!
Finally, I also want to share more about my personal relationship with food, warts and all, along with stories about how food intertwines with family, work, and life in general.
My hope is that you’ll feel inspired to try new recipes, restaurants, and different cuisines. But also, through my more personal posts, I hope you’ll feel a sense of connection and normalcy if you’ve had similar experiences.
Let’s Connect!
I’d absolutely love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave comments on my posts, let me know what else you’d like to see on the blog, or suggest food-related topics, recipes, cuisines, or specific restaurants for me to try and write about.
If you’d like to connect more, be sure to follow my Instagram page – here! You’ll find more photos and videos there, and my DMs are always open.
Happy Eating!
Tasty Food Ventures 
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