Liew (second left), together with Joniston (second right), StyLianos (right) and John (left), cutting the ribbon to officially open Chill Taverna, the first Greek-owned restaurant in Sabah and Malaysia, at Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, today.
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the opening of Chill Taverna, the first Greek-owned restaurant in Sabah, marked the beginning of cultural exchange between Greece and Sabah where Malaysians here get to know Greek cuisine.
She described this as a refreshing change.
“To promote friendship, we can hold activities like showcasing our cultural dances from the two destinations in the near future,” she said when officiating the opening of the restaurant at Wisma Sabah, here, today.
Also present were Consul of Greece in Malaysia StyLianos Plainiotis, Consul-General of Japan for East Malaysia Yamashita Yoshito, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman, former Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai and STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit
Chill Taverna is owned by Greek businessman John Embiricos and his wife Marinah Harris, the youngest daughter of former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh.
Guests were served Greek platter, pastries, yoghurt, salad, spinach pie, cheese pie and cookies, particularly two signature dishes (Moussaka – minced beef cooked in tomatoes and Greek spices, and Kleftiko Lamb – slow oven baked with potatoes, lemon, tomatoes and herbs).
Liew, who is also Api-Api Assemblywoman, congratulated John and Marinah on their initiative, and welcomed the Greek Consul’s family to Sabah.
Yeo recalled that Marinah initiated the “No More Plastic in our Waters” or “NOW” project in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) and Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) in the early years of the Millennium when he was the Mayor.
