By Dina Gerolymou
Dean Giannakis is a dedicated foodie with a sweet tooth. Desserts have always been his favorite part of the menu. However, it took more than a love for cakes to get this young Greek -Australian to exchange his corporate career in finance for making and selling sweets out of a vehicle. He told us that his concept does not involve a truck but rather a movable cart which can be loaded to a vehicle and transported anywhere.
He and his cousin Fotis Nikolaou, his business partner, started St Gerry's after a holiday in Greece when they observed the popularity of the loukoumades at an outdoor festival in Cephallonia. In the beginning they worked weekends only, and when the brand was established they quit their corporate careers for making loukoumades full-time.
Dean Giannakis told us that the Aussies call the traditional Greek sweet "Greek donuts" and so far its popularity surprised even the owners. "They can't pronounce the Greek word, loukoumades, but they love them!" he say with pride. "we serve them with honey, chocolate, caramel, coconut, you name it".
Loukoumades are made with flour, yeast and water and deep fried in hot oil. They are served warm with honey and crushed walnuts. Mr Giannakis says that this combination has proved the most popular in Australia but prefers to offer a variety of options to his costumers and to cater for many tastes.
So far, St Gerry's has two carts on the road but soon is going to have an outlet in the heart of Melbourne.
So what is the secret of his success? "Follow your passion" says Dean Giannakis. Simple recipe really. With or without topping!
