We sat down for a chat with busy restaurauteur Simon Gloftis who’s been behind some of the Gold Coast’s most successful eateries. We asked him about the changes he’s seen in hospitality over 20 years in the industry and what it takes to be successful in such a competitive business.
Simon started out washing dishes and delivering pizza and even thought he might be a real estate agent; he realised food was his calling when he kept finding himself reading cookbooks instead of his real estate course material!
First, he had a cafe with his brother then nine years ago he opened Hellenika, a Greek restaurant at Nobby’s Beach. He created and sold the award-winning Fish House at Burleigh Heads and last year he opened a second Hellenika, bringing his vision for top-notch but authentic Greek food to the luxurious new Calile Hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The restaurant sits poolside and has become a popular destination for drinks and people-watching but Simon says he keeps his eye on the main game – the food.
A recent month-long trip to Greece, where meals ranged from expensive degustations to simple soup in tiny villages, consolidated his belief that he is on the right track with a combination of top quality food served in the simple style of traditional Greek food.
With a clear vision from the very start of Hellenika, authenticity remains his watchword.
Here are some useful links from this episode:
Fish House, Burleigh Heads
Nineteen at the Star, Broadbeach