Ep 7. Greeks on the Gulf

In the seventh episode of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi season 2, titled Greeks on the Gulf, Padma visits Tarpon Springs, Florida, to explore the unique culinary traditions of the town's Greek community. Tarpon Springs is known for having the highest concentration of Greeks in the United States, and the community is deeply connected to its authentic cultural heritage.

Padma begins her journey at Athens Street Food, where she samples a variety of classic Greek dishes with owner, Michael Tsingas. They start with savory spinach and cheese pies, or Spanakopita, followed by classic Greek souvlaki wrapped in a pita and topped with traditional tzatziki sauce. Padma learns about the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods to create the flavors of Greece.

Next, Padma visits the famous Sponge Docks, where Greek sponge divers have been harvesting natural sea sponges for over a century. She meets with a third-generation sponge diver, George Billiris, who takes her out on a boat to collect sponges from the Gulf of Mexico. George explains how the Greek sponge divers were some of the first to settle in the area, and how they brought their culinary traditions with them.

After working up an appetite on the boat, Padma heads to Hellas Bakery, where she meets with owner, George Koursiotis. George shows Padma how his family's recipes have been passed down through generations, and together they make the traditional Greek pastry, Baklava. Padma learns how the use of high-quality butter and fresh nuts are the key to making this delicate dessert.

For lunch, Padma joins members of the local Greek community at Mykonos Restaurant, where she is treated to an authentic Greek meal complete with traditional Greek music and dancing. She samples dishes like pastitsio, or Greek lasagna, and moussaka, a layered dish made with eggplant and ground meat. Padma is impressed with the community's dedication to preserving their culture and traditions through food.

Finally, Padma visits a local Greek Orthodox Church to participate in their annual Greek Festival. She meets with organizers and volunteers who gather to prepare traditional Greek dishes for the festival-goers. Padma learns how food plays a central role in Greek Orthodox culture and how these festivals are a way to share their traditions with the wider community.

Throughout the episode, Padma gains an understanding of the important role food plays in preserving cultural heritage and bringing communities together. The Greeks on the Gulf have succeeded in maintaining their culinary traditions through generations, and Padma's journey through Tarpon Springs offers a glimpse into the vibrant and delicious world of Greek cuisine in America.