Andy's to host Dec.3 Greek cuisine talk, tasting

by Michael K. Murphy

A local breakfast and lunch restaurant Dec. 3 will host a culinary demonstration, discussion and tasting by Jasmine P. Andrews, culinary lecturer and author of "My Greek Heritage Cookbook" beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The event is associated with the Somerville Museum’s exhibition on Greek immigration and George Dilboy,” said Phill Dres, who with his brother James have own Andy's Diner at 2030 Massachusetts Ave., which is the site of the demostration.

Tickets are $15 per person and the proceeds will benefit the Somerville Museum. After the presentation, there will be a wine and cheese reception.

The exhibit opened Sept. 10 and will run until March 25, Greek Indepedence Day.

Dres said he is glad this series of Greek cultural events has helped show the younger generation they are linked to a great heritage. “They are extremely important, you try to teach your kids everything about their heritage and where they came from. If you don’t, then you lose everything.”

A lifetime member of Hellenic Association, Dres said he and his brother have owned the neighborhood landmark since 1989.

“I have yet to go to Andy’s Diner but I plan on going before the 'Taste of Greece,'" said Andrews, who live on Cape Cod.

All the recipes that Andrews teaches in her talks and in her book have been well-tested, she said. “For appetizers, I plan on making keftedes, which is a meatball fritter, and zucchini cakes. For dessert, I made a delicious cognac cake.”

Andrews, whose middle name is Panos, said she will demostrate recipes and traditional cooking methods she learned growing up in the Greek enclave in Somerville.

“In the 20’s, a group of Greeks from Alatzata immigrated here in refuge, escaping the Turkish atrocities, and my parents were among those who settled in Somerville,”she said. “After always observing my mother cook, I became very interested in Grecian cuisine.”