The aroma of sizzling meat wafts through the air as volunteer George Danilopoulos tends to dozens of lamb skewers rotating slowly over open flames. His concentration is unwavering despite the growing line of hungry festival-goers eyeing the succulent meat that has become the signature dish of Surrey’s Greek Food Festival.
“We cook hundreds of pounds of lamb every day,” Danilopoulos explains, wiping sweat from his brow as he adjusts the skewers. “It’s a labor of love. The secret is in the marinade and the slow cooking process—we’re talking about four to five hours over the fire.”
This meticulous attention to culinary tradition is precisely what has made the Surrey Greek Food Festival a cultural touchstone in the Lower Mainland for over three decades. Now in its 2024 edition, the 10-day celebration at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church continues to draw thousands with its authentic Mediterranean fare and vibrant atmosphere.
While the pandemic forced organizers to pivot to drive-thru service in recent years, this summer marks a welcome return to the festival’s communal roots. Families crowd long tables under white tents, children dance to traditional bouzouki music, and the air is thick with conversation and laughter—ingredients just as essential to Greek culture as oregano and olive oil.
“Food brings people together,” says festival chair John Kerasiotis. “That’s the essence of Greek hospitality—’philoxenia’ as we call it. It’s not just about feeding someone; it’s about making them feel like family.”
Beyond the celebrated lamb, visitors line up for hand-stretched souvlaki, flaky spanakopita, and honey-drenched loukoumades. Each dish represents generations of passed-down recipes, now prepared by church volunteers who begin preparations months in advance.
What’s striking about the festival is how it bridges cultural gaps through shared appreciation of craftsmanship. Visitors from diverse backgrounds can be heard attempting Greek phrases as they order, while volunteers patiently explain the ingredients and history behind each dish. In many ways, the event offers a more intimate cultural exchange than what’s typically found at CO24 Culture.
The festival’s enduring popularity speaks to a broader trend in our increasingly digital age—a hunger for authentic, tactile experiences that connect us to traditions that have withstood centuries. While food delivery apps offer convenience, they cannot replicate the experience of watching your meal prepared before your eyes or the spontaneous conversations that emerge while waiting in line for a plate of freshly carved lamb.
“Many visitors tell us they wait all year for this festival,” says volunteer coordinator Maria Alexiou. “In the beginning, it was mostly Greek community members, but now we see people from all backgrounds. Food is a universal language.”
As the festival continues its run until June 9, the organizing committee expects to serve over 10,000 visitors. The proceeds support both the church and various community initiatives, creating a virtuous circle of cultural celebration and civic contribution.
Perhaps what’s most remarkable about the Surrey Greek Food Festival isn’t just its delicious offerings, but how it represents a form of cultural preservation in action. In an era where fast food and convenience often trump tradition, these volunteers are ensuring that ancient recipes and cooking techniques aren’t relegated to cookbooks and food blogs but remain living practices passed between generations.
As the sun sets on another festival day and the lamb continues to turn over open flames, one can’t help but wonder: in our rush toward the future, how many other cultural traditions deserve this kind of passionate preservation? The answer, like a good Greek meal, is worth savoring.
