The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets

Chef Maria Loi shows us her Cretan start to the day, soaking up the sun and sea as she sips on Ellinikos Kafes, traditional Greek coffee, and pastries. On Naxos, Maria joins Governor Ioannis Margaritis to make a traditional Kayana (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato). Back in New York, she prepares

Chef Maria Loi visits the European Bread Museum to observe the practice of the time-honored art of bread decor. Maria is joined by a museum volunteer to prepare traditional fresh pasta known as Goglies. Chef Loi invites her friend Andriana Vamvakas into her kitchen to make a traditional sweet and

The town of Monemvasia, which has been carved out of a rock slope, is home to the Kalapothou family. Chef Loi joins three generations of women to bake a classic Greek bread called Ladenia and then learns how to make Traxana, made with stewed eggplant & peasant ‘pasta.’ Back at

Inspired by her visit to the Keratsini fish market in Athens’ port city, Piraeus, Chef Maria Loi, and restauranteur Chrysoula Ypsilanti prepare Sardeles me Elies (Sardines with Olives) and Tyropitakia (Cheese Pies). Back in her kitchen, Chef Loi whips up Tyropita tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef’s Cheese Pie) and invites

Chef Maria Loi visits olive groves and olive oil producers and returns home to New York and teams up with friend and oilogist, David Neuman, to explore the rich beauty and history of this iconic staple of Greek cuisine. But before we get to learn how to properly “taste” the

Chef Maria Loi heads to Nafplio, where she speaks with Ioanna Papantoniou about the history of Greece’s miracle ingredient, tomato paste. Chef Loi makes her mom’s recipe for Patates Kokkinistes (Red Potatoes). Chef Cesare Casella joins Maria in her kitchen to make Greek-Italian Kritharaki me Ntomata (Orzo with

Chef Maria Loi travels to Kissamos to join Fragiskos Stathakis at his honey farm. While in Crete’s capital city, Maria pays a visit to Giannis Vranas at his traditional bakery, where he gives her a taste of Bougatsa (Custard Pie), Pita Kolokythi me Myzithra (Zucchini Pie), and Ryzogalo (Rice

Chef Maria Loi travels to Crete to meet with Chef Giannis Baxevanis, who makes a Lavraki Gemisto (Stuffed Branzino) while Chef Poppy Kourkoutaki demonstrates a variation on the traditional way of making Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves). Chef Loi puts a unique twist on traditional stuffed grape leaves and seafood expert,

Chef Maria Loi takes us to the historic Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens to cook with celebrated Chef Bertrand Valegeas. Inspired by the fresh seafood, they prepare Tsipoura sti Ladokola (Sea Bream in Parchment Paper) and Karavides me Kritharaki (Langoustine with Orzo). Maria makes Athens-inspired recipes: Traganos Solomos

In the farmlands of Naxos Island, Chef Maria Loi is joined by a local culinary instructor, Iouliani Polykreti, to prepare Katsikaki me Patates (Roasted Goat with Naxian Potatoes) and Gemista (Stuffed Vegetables). At home in New. York City, Maria makes two easy vegetarian dishes: Patates Lemonates (Roasted Lemon Potatoes) and

Chef Maria Loi travels to Greece’s second largest island, Evia, where she makes Kritharaki me Manitaria (Orzo with Mushrooms) with mushrooms cultivated at a local farm. At Naxos Island, Maria climbs aboard a yacht where the Governor of Naxos helps her prepare a delicious Salatouri. Back in New York,

On the rooftop of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, located in the heart of Athens and in the shadow of the Acropolis, Chef Maria Loi joins Michelin-starred chef, Asterios Koustoudis, to prepare some Mediterranean classics: Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Salad) and Spanakoryzo (Spinach Rice). Back in New York, Chef Loi serves Melitzanovarkoules (Eggplant

Chef Maria Loi shows us her Cretan start to the day, soaking up the sun and sea as she sips on Ellinikos Kafes, traditional Greek coffee, and pastries. On Naxos, Maria joins Governor Ioannis Margaritis to make a traditional Kayana (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato). Back in New York, she prepares

Chef Maria Loi visits the European Bread Museum to observe the practice of the time-honored art of bread decor. Maria is joined by a museum volunteer to prepare traditional fresh pasta known as Goglies. Chef Loi invites her friend Andriana Vamvakas into her kitchen to make a traditional sweet and

The town of Monemvasia, which has been carved out of a rock slope, is home to the Kalapothou family. Chef Loi joins three generations of women to bake a classic Greek bread called Ladenia and then learns how to make Traxana, made with stewed eggplant & peasant ‘pasta.’ Back at

Inspired by her visit to the Keratsini fish market in Athens’ port city, Piraeus, Chef Maria Loi, and restauranteur Chrysoula Ypsilanti prepare Sardeles me Elies (Sardines with Olives) and Tyropitakia (Cheese Pies). Back in her kitchen, Chef Loi whips up Tyropita tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef’s Cheese Pie) and invites

Chef Maria Loi visits olive groves and olive oil producers and returns home to New York and teams up with friend and oilogist, David Neuman, to explore the rich beauty and history of this iconic staple of Greek cuisine. But before we get to learn how to properly “taste” the

Chef Maria Loi heads to Nafplio, where she speaks with Ioanna Papantoniou about the history of Greece’s miracle ingredient, tomato paste. Chef Loi makes her mom’s recipe for Patates Kokkinistes (Red Potatoes). Chef Cesare Casella joins Maria in her kitchen to make Greek-Italian Kritharaki me Ntomata (Orzo with

Chef Maria Loi travels to Kissamos to join Fragiskos Stathakis at his honey farm. While in Crete’s capital city, Maria pays a visit to Giannis Vranas at his traditional bakery, where he gives her a taste of Bougatsa (Custard Pie), Pita Kolokythi me Myzithra (Zucchini Pie), and Ryzogalo (Rice

Chef Maria Loi travels to Crete to meet with Chef Giannis Baxevanis, who makes a Lavraki Gemisto (Stuffed Branzino) while Chef Poppy Kourkoutaki demonstrates a variation on the traditional way of making Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves). Chef Loi puts a unique twist on traditional stuffed grape leaves and seafood expert,

Chef Maria Loi takes us to the historic Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens to cook with celebrated Chef Bertrand Valegeas. Inspired by the fresh seafood, they prepare Tsipoura sti Ladokola (Sea Bream in Parchment Paper) and Karavides me Kritharaki (Langoustine with Orzo). Maria makes Athens-inspired recipes: Traganos Solomos

In the farmlands of Naxos Island, Chef Maria Loi is joined by a local culinary instructor, Iouliani Polykreti, to prepare Katsikaki me Patates (Roasted Goat with Naxian Potatoes) and Gemista (Stuffed Vegetables). At home in New. York City, Maria makes two easy vegetarian dishes: Patates Lemonates (Roasted Lemon Potatoes) and

Chef Maria Loi travels to Greece’s second largest island, Evia, where she makes Kritharaki me Manitaria (Orzo with Mushrooms) with mushrooms cultivated at a local farm. At Naxos Island, Maria climbs aboard a yacht where the Governor of Naxos helps her prepare a delicious Salatouri. Back in New York,

On the rooftop of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, located in the heart of Athens and in the shadow of the Acropolis, Chef Maria Loi joins Michelin-starred chef, Asterios Koustoudis, to prepare some Mediterranean classics: Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Salad) and Spanakoryzo (Spinach Rice). Back in New York, Chef Loi serves Melitzanovarkoules (Eggplant