I can finally see that the most successful and at the same time happy people, are those who although they started doing one thing with their lives, they found, on the journey, they would be happier doing something else entirely.

This applies to all types of work but particularly in the field of restaurants and catering generally… maybe because it’s harder, or maybe because you must have a lot of love for it to follow that path, or maybe it’s not a sudden decision but a journey that leads you towards it.

A few months ago I went to a food exhibition which I really love, the Expotrof, and I met Gianna Balafouti there. (Now that I think about it, I should have written about Gianna first but OK…)

Gianna introduced me to Alexandros Stefanidis , who told me that he had a “modern” grocery shop in the city of Thessaloniki and that every year he holds an exhibition in the city where he invites all the local producers who he represents in his shop with their products to be seen and met by the public.

They asked me to go up and with Gianna, showcase and present some products in tasting seminars like honey, chocolate and olives.

I told them that I would be happy to without another thought.

So I went up without knowing much about Alexandros, without having spoken to him very much, without knowing exactly what he does generally in his life.

And after the wonderful weekend I spent in Thessaloniki and after so much honey and herbs, I again didn’t get the chance to speak to him much because the exhibition was incredibly successful and he was run off his feet trying to organise it all.

On the last day I went to his shop “Olicatessen” to take part in a chocolate tasting seminar and was blown away by his wonderful shop. A very good architect must have created this space, I thought.

Most of the products he had on the shelves of the shop I recognised from the exhibition set up really beautifully, of which I will talk about another time.

I realised watching him that everything at the exhibition had his hand in it, and he really loves what he does…he seemed to be a total perfectionist..

When I looked for his profile on ‘linkedin’ I saw that he started his career as an architect, specialising in Eco homes! Look at this, I said to myself…how marvellous how everything is interconnected and somehow it all matches.

I have a feeling that he designed his shop himself.

I have a feeling I will ask him to design a country house in the mountains I am planning.

I have a feeling I have to get to know him better!

I have a feeling I will at some point continue this article!

UPDATE!!

Today I launched the site and I sent the link to Alexandros and he told me a few details I did not know! Indeed it was an architect who designed both his shops and the concept plan! But it wasn’t him! It was his wife Stella Grammatikopoulou! I probably should ask her to design my planned mountain home not Alexandros! :-)

He also told me that the exhibition is much bigger than I thought, 32 people work on it and most local producers take part not just those he represents in his shop! Better than I thought ! Bravo yet again for a wonderful effort by all!