PELEKAN:
Stavros Stavrinos, Marketing Director
How would you define Mezes?
For people outside of Greece, Mezes are considered any form of appetizer served either cold or warm. However, for Greeks Mezes are not part of a typical meal course like appetizers, but are rather dishes that are served as a separate eating experience. Unlike orektika (appetizers in Greek) which are intended to arouse the appetite for the meal to follow, Mezes are little dishes, commonly seafood dishes such as "little fishes", octopus, mussels or squid and small dishes with vegetables and legumes, salads or spreads, all designed to complement drinking.
Not everybody has the time to make multiple dishes for each meal. This problem is solved for many Greeks by the advent of ready-to-eat Mezes.
Why do you believe Mezes are popular in Greece?
The popularity and success of the concept of Mezes is twofold: to complement and enhance the taste of the drink – preferably ouzo or wine - and to provide the backdrop for social gathering. The little plates are shared by everyone at the table, which not only provides the group with a wonderful variety of taste and texture sensations, but also creates the kind of cheerful, hospitable (perhaps for some noisy) atmosphere for which Greeks are well-known.
Do you believe that the concept of sharing Meze plates, as it is common in
Greece, could become popular in other lands?
In our globalized world, taste convergence is inevitable; and so is the adoption of nutritional and eating habits from other cultures. The concept of sharing plates, which is popular in Greece, may strike as odd for people from other cultures. Nevertheless, it has never been odd to share a Chateaubriand or a sushi platter. This means, with appropriate marketing, the notion of sharing Meze plates could be a huge success outside of Greece.
How do your traditional dishes compare with those made at home?
Meeting quality standards is not a virtue, but a vital necessity for anyone willing to do business in the food market. Nevertheless, home-cooking encompasses not only a certain quality but also superior taste. Therefore what differentiates one from another is the extent to which quality is combined with taste. Above all, Pelekan does its best to combine the preservation of traditional taste with the convenience offered by technology, just as if it was cooking for a family table, which, of course, it is.
If you were to have a party and wished to serve a selection of Mezes, which combination of your company's products would you serve?
Taste and the appreciation thereof is really a personal matter. However, if asked to throw a Meze party, then probably I would choose to include our dolmades and our famous gigantes with tomato sauce or the elegant gigantes in dill sauce. Since a good Meze meal presupposes the serving of fish and other seafood, I would serve the nutritious and delicious sardines in oil along with the octopus cooked in spicy tomato sauce. Add to this a good Tsipouro and you have yourself a party!
ZANAE
Marianna Samara, Marketing Manager
How would you define Mezes?
Mezes is the food of friendship and conviviality.
There are literally hundreds of Mezes. Some are known throughout Greece and some are regional specialties like the fried chickpea ballsof Siphnos or the meat pies of Cephalonia
Do you believe that the concept of sharing Mezes plates, as it is common in Greece, could become popular in other lands?
The full-meal concept of sharing Mezes plates could become popular outside of Greece with proper marketing support. Greek restaurants could be helpful in promoting Mezes, particularly those that offer a more sophisticated environment.
How do your traditional dishes compare with those made at home?
In terms of taste and quality, our products are completely equivalent to home-cooking. |
