"Our Greek Story... Adventure Chef, Keith Famie's Newest Project

Adventure Chef, Keith Famie Attends Greektown Glendi

Many of you may have been wondering who has been videotaping the different Greek community events through out the area. At this year's Greektown Glendi "A Taste of Greektown" presented by the Greektown Merchants Association, Malista had the opportunity to catch up with Detroit's celebrity chef, Keith Famie. He explained that he was at the event to video for his upcoming video on the Greeks of Detroit for his series "Our Story of…" Famie explains that he has taken his "Adventure Chef" abilities up another notch, exploring the culinary treasures in his own backyard. "Our Story Of… is a collection of marvelous human-interest stories, which will be of lasting importance to the chronicle of Detroit, and will follow our growth from a river town to a bustling, multi-cultural, industrial powerhouse." You all may have noticed Famie and his video crew at this year's Independence Day Parade, as well as, several other events around town, including Anastasi Services at the Assumption Church. His website www.famie.com has already begun to host information and stories on the Greek Community.

The first of the series was Our Italian Story…, which aired on WXYZ-TV7 on December 9th in prime time, again on December 16th, and concluding with a final special airing on Christmas Day, 2006. Prior to the television airing, Famie hosted a special charity media preview at a leading Detroit-area theater. This first documentary is now available on the Comcast VOD ( Video on demand)and on his website www.famie.com He is finishing up on Our Polish Story… which should be released at the end of the summer. His next segment will be Our Greek Story… and is due for release in October 2007.

To date, Famie has produced dozens of food-as-adventure specials for national television, including the popular Food Network series Keith Famie's Adventures. He's perhaps best known as a finalist on the series Survivor, which catapulted him to international fame. Additionally, Famie has authored two books about travel, cooking and adventure-the last one, You Really Haven't Been There Until You've Eaten The Food published by Clarkson Potter (Random House) in 2003.

Famie interviewed Dr. Steven Georgiou, owner of the Olympia Restaurant, and president of the Greektown Merchants Association who advised that the association was started in the early 1950's in response to the relocation efforts on the part of then City of Detroit's, Mayor, Albert E. Cobo, whose plan was to build I-375 through the middle of the Greektown. At the time there were some 5,000 Greek families living in the area. The merchants began meeting in an effort to avert the freeway relocations. Group members marched on City Hall, and through their efforts, were able to save the business direct area that remains today.

Dr. Georgiou stated that the association's present mission is to promote Greek culture, and to continue to enhance and improve the ambiance of the Greektown Business District and the immediate surrounding areas. He advises that the association is working diligently on a project with the city of Detroit to create a series of pedestrian pathways connecting Greektown with the downtown area from the Renaissance Center to Harmony Park.

The Greektown Merchants Association is a 501 (c) 3 organization. This evenings Glendi Festival 2007, is the associations major fundraising event. "A Taste of Greektown" includes a sumptuous buffet from 15+ Greektown Restaurants & Bakeries, Live Greek entertainment by Enigma, Two Belly Dancers, Greek Dancing and instruction, and a raffle. The association has 40-50 members and meets bi-monthly at the Athenaeum and 400 Monroe.

So now you know who is doing the videotaping and why, if you have a story to tell or are interested in sponsoring the video program, contact Famie at famie@famie.com or 248-624-9636.

Malista!