Mr. Liew (second from left), Bangkuai (second from right), Planiiotis (right), and Embricos (left) cutting the ribbon for the official opening of Chill Taverna.
KOTA KINABALU (April 16): The first Greek restaurant in Sabah and Malaysia officially opened on Tuesday at Wisma Sabah in Kota Kinabalu.
Chill Taverna is owned by Greek businessman John Embirikos and his wife, Marina Harris, the youngest daughter of former state premier Tan Sri Haris Saleh.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, who is also Apiapi MP, congratulated Mr. Embirikos and Mr. Marina on their efforts and welcomed the Greek consul’s family’s visit to Sabah.
She said the opening of Chill Taverna was the beginning of cultural exchange between Greece and Sabah, introducing Malaysians here to Greek cuisine and bringing a refreshing change.
“In order to promote friendly relations, we will be able to hold activities such as showing off the cultural dances of both countries in the near future,” Liu said enthusiastically.
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman and Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bankai and Greek Consul to Malaysia Stilianos Pleiniotis also attended the opening ceremony.
Guests were served Greek platters, pastries, yogurt, salads, spinach pies, cheese pies, cookies, and two signature dishes in particular: moussaka – ground beef cooked with tomatoes and Greek spices, and potatoes; We were served kleftiko lamb (slow-roasted lemon, tomato, and tomato). herbs).
East Malaysian Consul General Yoshito Yamashita, former Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Yaw Boon Hai and STB Chief Executive Officer Julinas Jeffrey Jimmit were also present.
Mr Yeo recalled that during his time as mayor, Mr Marina launched the “No More Plastic in our Waters” or “NOW” project in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
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