Annual Greek celebration to make a sweet return in Sarasota

For Pat Trempelas, making Greek butter cookies — Koulourakia — is second nature.

She can determine how much dough she needs without weighing it, and then rolls the dough into spirals with ease. Without even thinking about it, she makes them consistent in size and shape.

Trempelas began making the cookies when she was 12 and she said that has been one part of her family heritage.

“Our culture is very rich but it's not just about food,” Trempelas said. “Food is part of our culture and so is our dance, our language, the way we entertain people. For me, (making the cookies) is part of our hospitality, sharing with people.” 

Trempelas currently is serving as the second vice president of the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Philoptochos Society. She has been a part of the chapter for eight years and has been on the board for six.

The St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Philoptochos Society is preparing to host Autumn Fest, which is their opportunity to present Greek culture through food, music, and dance. Proceeds from the event go toward assisting worthy causes. The event is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 7-8.

Photo by Madison Bierl

This year, a percentage of what is raised will be donated to Stillpoint Mission. Stillpoint Mission is a volunteer-run organization in Bradenton that works to provide necessities such as food, hygiene items, diapers and more to those in need. 

“Everything that's given to them goes straight back to the population,” said Connie Chaltis, the president of the society. “That was something that we really felt strongly about.” 

Chaltis has been an active member of the church since 1978 and has been involved in Autumn Fest for the last 10 years. 

“We want to share the goodness (of Greek food and culture) and the way it makes us feel,” Chaltis said. 

Courtesy image

There will be a thrift shop and a variety of fresh Greek cuisine and desserts for sale as well. 

Effie Stratis will be cooking pastitsio, a Greek pasta with cream sauce. Her father, Demetrios Stratis, was a Greek immigrant who had a passion for cooking. He passed the passion to Stratis, who soaked in everything.

“He never had recipes, so you sat and you observed,” Stratis said. 

Peggy Doukas, the treasurer of the society, appreciates that the community supports the event. 

“I'm not a cook, I'm not a baker, but I certainly enjoy the enthusiasm that everybody demonstrates when they come to buy the pastries, and we sell out,” Doukas said. “It's wonderful to see that people know what they're ordering and that they're taking pastries home.” 

Doukas said if they raise between $7,500 and $10,000, it will be considered a successful fundraiser.