History Of Kouzounas Kitchen

Καλώς ήρθατε – Welcome

Welcome to my world of Greek traditional & modern cooking. I am Krystina, the name behind Kouzounas Kitchen, and passionate American-Greek chef who loves to share recipes. Currently, you can find me catering Greek food in the Northern California region or working my booth in Apple Hill.

A recipe has no soul. You as the cook must bring soul to the recipe. —Thomas Keller

Essay_Don't Forget to SmileEssay_Let's Learn Some Greek

 

Chef Krystina

Chef Bio 

My love for food started at a very young age. Both my parents are wonderful cooks, and we have many cooks on my dad’s side of the family in Greece. Growing up in a crazy Greek family, who appreciates food was a good start towards my love for cooking. At the age of seven, I was officially making my own Greek recipes including spanakopita, keftedes, baklava, and much more.

In 2008 I acknowledged the passion I had for the culinary arts and enrolled in the pastry chef program at Le Cordon Bleu in Sacramento, California, and in 2009 graduated with my pastry degree.

Kouzounas Kitchen is dedicated to my yiayia Stavroula Kouzouna Kalapothakou. Yiayia was from Mani, Greece who was a fantastic home cook. I learned many of her traditional Greek recipes and now I share them through my blog. (I hope yiayia is looking down upon me smiling as I share many of her delicious recipes with my very own twist.)

I fulfilled a long-awaited dream of mine recently. Back To My Roots cookbook was published on February 28, 2016. Back To My Roots is not only packed full of mouth-watering recipes, but I also share my personal story, kitchen tips, and tricks, bits and pieces of the history of olive oil and its benefits, and much, much more!

Check out my cookbooks below:

Amazon – Back To My Roots (available in print and eBook)

Barnes & Noble – Back To My Roots

Back to My Roots | Kouzounas Kitchen

Amazon – A Drop of Ladi & My Greek Soul: A New Take on Classic Greek Cuisine

A Drop of Ladi & My Greek Soul | Kouzounas Kitchen

[Side Note]

The name Kouzounas originated from my sweet Yiayia, Stavroula Kouzouna Kalapothakou from Mani, Greece who was a fantastic home chef. I learned many of her traditional Greek recipes, and now I can share these recipes with you. Don’t get confused with the Greek word “kouzina” which means kitchen.

Kali Orexi

yiayia

* Pictured above is my family. To the very left is my yiayia who I dedicate this blog to. Thank you to my wonderful family for inspiring me to make Kouzounas Kitchen happen.

 

106 Comments »

  2. Hi, I happened to meet Chef Krystina a few weeks ago, and since then I have tried her
    Bakalava, which I have to say is amazing. I being half greek myself, and spending many summers
    there, sampling many of there sweet treats, have to say that she makes the best Baklava I have
    ever tasted. I had to put my order in for Christmas, so I can share with my friends thats if my
    family doesn’t eat them all first. My son loves them.
    Thank you so much Krystina for the delicious Baklava.

  3. Pingback: Bloggers Day Out | Kritsa, at the heart of it all

    • Thank you so much to my dear friend for sharing this beautiful post. Our time in Kritsa will be a loving memory to remember forever. 🙂 I can’t wait to see you both again real soon. Polla filakia stous duo!

  4. Pingback: Bloggers meet in Crete | Kritsa, at the heart of it all

  5. Hi Kouzounas Kitchen Team,

    My name is Anuj Agarwal. I’m Founder of Feedspot.

    I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Kouzounas Kitchen has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 40 Greek Food Blogs on the web.

    http://blog.feedspot.com/greek_food_blogs/

    I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 40 Greek Food Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!

    Also, you have the honor of displaying the badge on your blog.

    Best,
    Anuj

  7. Hello, I found your blog via a “like” you posted on one of my recent posts. I am so new to this so you can imagine what great encouragement this gives me. Thank you. I love Greek food and will most definitely enjoy following your blog!

  18. Pingback: Friday Greek Menu by Kouzounas Kitchen | Ekaterina Botziou
  19. Pingback: Keftedes by Kouzounas Kitchen | Ekaterina Botziou

  28. Hi!

    My name is Angeliki, from South Africa, got unto your blog by pure luck. Have browsed through it, and I am impressed, will certainly keep following. Regards
    Angeliki

  30. Pingback: Featured Thursday Voting! | Kicking Back the Pebbles

  31. I couldn’t be happier to have found your blog today! 🙂 Instead of going through and liking ever single post here is one huge “LIKE”. I am going to go look through your recipes now.

  32. I really hope you manage to fulfil your restaurant dream – I would be sure to visit! 🙂 My in-laws have a Greek restaurant here in London – you must come one day!

  33. Pingback: Kouzounas Kitchen | Kicking Back the Pebbles

  36. I’m so glad I met you yesterday and will put you on my blog’s Favorite Blog’s list. I can’t wait to look at your recipes!! And tell that darling BF you need a dog. Soon. Oxoxo!! Diana

    • Thank you very much Liz. I appreciate you stopping by, and yes I hope you can learn from me as well. Ever have any recipes that you are looking for that you don’t see on my blog please feel free to ask me to post something you are looking for. Cheers 🙂

  40. Yes as a chef from around the world my main goal is to have my own Little Taverna, as us Greeks would call it. 🙂 I am soon to be having my own cooking classes & catering in the Sacramento area. I loved your blog! Thx for the lovely comment. Hello from Sacramento!!!

    • It was a pleasure meeting you today at the Land Park Farmer’s Market, a great way to spend Sunday morning. Your pastries, your story and website are all spectacular. Looking forward to seeing you again and sharing our love of all things ellinika!
      Martha Potiriades

      • Geia Sou Martha,
        I actually just spoke to my mom about you. I mentioned that you went to McClatchy and she even looked at her year book for you but didn’t see your name. I think my mom was a few years above you. It was my pleasure to meet you and very happy to see Greek people at the Land Park Market. I hope you enjoyed your goodies. 🙂 Thank you for this wonderful comment and hope to see you at the next Sunday market. Filakia,
        Krystina 🙂

  41. Hello from St Louis! What an awesome adventure you are on with the goal of having your own coffee shop! Glad you stopped by my blog! Blessings–Jane

  42. Ok fine..all the best for your future writing..Please go though my personal blog you can find more.Have any help in WordPress support.Feel free to contact.
    Cyril

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