Chef Maria Loi dives into the land of liquid gold, visiting olive groves and olive oil producers from Crete to Sparta. She returns home to New York and teams up with friend and oilogist, David Neuman, to explore the rich beauty and history of this iconic staple of Greek cuisine: olive oil. But before we get to learn how to properly "taste" the olive oil, Maria first prepares Elies Spastes (Greek-Style Tapenade) which has enough olives to feed an entire Greek island.

Greece's historic capital, Athens, is the setting for a delicious journey demonstrating what it means to "eat like the ancient Greek Gods." Inspired by her visit to the Keratsini fish market in Athens' port city, Piraeus, Chef Maria Loi and restauranteur Chrysoula Ypsilanti prepare Sardeles me Elies (Sardines with Olives) and Tyropitakia (Cheese Pies) at the iconic Taverna Zorbas in Athens' ancient Plaka district. Back in her kitchen in New York, Maria whips up a quick & easy Tyropita tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef's Cheese Pie). She then invites her good friend Christian Wistehuff over to reminisce, and eat her Athens-inspired dish-Lavraki me Elies (Branzino with Olives).

Greece's historic capital, Athens, is the setting for a delicious journey demonstrating what it means to "eat like the ancient Greek Gods." Inspired by her visit to the Keratsini fish market in Athens' port city, Piraeus, Chef Maria Loi and restauranteur Chrysoula Ypsilanti prepare Sardeles me Elies (Sardines with Olives) and Tyropitakia (Cheese Pies) at the iconic Taverna Zorbas in Athens' ancient Plaka district. Back in her kitchen in New York, Maria whips up a quick & easy Tyropita tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef's Cheese Pie). She then invites her good friend Christian Wistehuff over to reminisce, and eat her Athens-inspired dish-Lavraki me Elies (Branzino with Olives).

Greece's historic capital, Athens, is the setting for a delicious journey demonstrating what it means to "eat like the ancient Greek Gods." Inspired by her visit to the Keratsini fish market in Athens' port city, Piraeus, Chef Maria Loi and restauranteur Chrysoula Ypsilanti prepare Sardeles me Elies (Sardines with Olives) and Tyropitakia (Cheese Pies) at the iconic Taverna Zorbas in Athens' ancient Plaka district. Back in her kitchen in New York, Maria whips up a quick & easy Tyropita tis Tembelas (Lazy Chef's Cheese Pie). She then invites her good friend Christian Wistehuff over to reminisce, and eat her Athens-inspired dish-Lavraki me Elies (Branzino with Olives).

Chef Maria Loi travels to Monemvasia, a stunning Greek town best known as "the rock." The town, which has been carved out of a rock slope, is home to the Kalapothou family. Chef Loi joins three generations of women to sing and carry on the tradition of baking a classic Greek bread called Ladenia and then learns how to make another well known village dish, Traxana, made with stewed eggplant & peasant 'pasta' known as. Inspired by her travels to Monemvasia, back at home Maria is joined by friend Christian Wistehuff where she bakes her easy version of Ladenia. Called Nerobouli (Easy Big Bubble Bread), it has lots of water, and large air bubbles. Chef Loi then grabs one of her regular diners at the restaurant, sweet Amrita Vora to help make Couscoussaki me Tyri (Greek Mac n Cheese).

Chef Maria Loi travels to Monemvasia, a stunning Greek town best known as "the rock." The town, which has been carved out of a rock slope, is home to the Kalapothou family. Chef Loi joins three generations of women to sing and carry on the tradition of baking a classic Greek bread called Ladenia and then learns how to make another well known village dish, Traxana, made with stewed eggplant & peasant 'pasta' known as. Inspired by her travels to Monemvasia, back at home Maria is joined by friend Christian Wistehuff where she bakes her easy version of Ladenia. Called Nerobouli (Easy Big Bubble Bread), it has lots of water, and large air bubbles. Chef Loi then grabs one of her regular diners at the restaurant, sweet Amrita Vora to help make Couscoussaki me Tyri (Greek Mac n Cheese).

Chef Maria Loi travels to Monemvasia, a stunning Greek town best known as "the rock." The town, which has been carved out of a rock slope, is home to the Kalapothou family. Chef Loi joins three generations of women to sing and carry on the tradition of baking a classic Greek bread called Ladenia and then learns how to make another well known village dish, Traxana, made with stewed eggplant & peasant 'pasta' known as. Inspired by her travels to Monemvasia, back at home Maria is joined by friend Christian Wistehuff where she bakes her easy version of Ladenia. Called Nerobouli (Easy Big Bubble Bread), it has lots of water, and large air bubbles. Chef Loi then grabs one of her regular diners at the restaurant, sweet Amrita Vora to help make Couscoussaki me Tyri (Greek Mac n Cheese).

Chef Maria Loi visits stunning Cape Sounio in Eastern Attica, with friends Anna Myrha and Panagiotis Sopiadis. They set sail on the beautiful waters of the Aegean sea while preparing a simple Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad). In nearby Legrena, Maria and friend Antonis Zagouris prepare classic Tsipoura Psito (Grilled Porgy) and Calamari Gemisto (Grilled Stuffed Calamari). Back in her kitchen in New York, she invites Chef Jehangir Mehta to cook with her. Keeping in mind the 'waste not, want not' mindset of the Greeks, they prepare their own take on the traditional Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad), and an easy Tsipoura Psarosoupa (Fish Soup with Porgy).

Chef Maria Loi visits stunning Cape Sounio in Eastern Attica, with friends Anna Myrha and Panagiotis Sopiadis. They set sail on the beautiful waters of the Aegean sea while preparing a simple Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad). In nearby Legrena, Maria and friend Antonis Zagouris prepare classic Tsipoura Psito (Grilled Porgy) and Calamari Gemisto (Grilled Stuffed Calamari). Back in her kitchen in New York, she invites Chef Jehangir Mehta to cook with her. Keeping in mind the 'waste not, want not' mindset of the Greeks, they prepare their own take on the traditional Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad), and an easy Tsipoura Psarosoupa (Fish Soup with Porgy).

Chef Maria Loi visits stunning Cape Sounio in Eastern Attica, with friends Anna Myrha and Panagiotis Sopiadis. They set sail on the beautiful waters of the Aegean sea while preparing a simple Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad). In nearby Legrena, Maria and friend Antonis Zagouris prepare classic Tsipoura Psito (Grilled Porgy) and Calamari Gemisto (Grilled Stuffed Calamari). Back in her kitchen in New York, she invites Chef Jehangir Mehta to cook with her. Keeping in mind the 'waste not, want not' mindset of the Greeks, they prepare their own take on the traditional Horiatiki Salata (Village Salad), and an easy Tsipoura Psarosoupa (Fish Soup with Porgy).

Chef Maria Loi demonstrates the power of flour in the beautiful Greek town of Varnavas, where she visits the European Bread Museum to observe the president of the museum, Milea Pappa, and Athanasia Brisini practicing the time-honored art of bread decor. Maria is joined by museum volunteer Panayota Papadopoulou, and the two prepare traditional fresh pasta known as Goglies. Back in New York, Chef Loi invites her friend Andriana Vamvakas into her kitchen to make a traditional sweet and savory Yiaourtopsomo (Yogurt Bread), and Macaroni me Yiaourti kai Feta (Pasta with Yogurt & Feta).

Chef Maria Loi demonstrates the power of flour in the beautiful Greek town of Varnavas, where she visits the European Bread Museum to observe the president of the museum, Milea Pappa, and Athanasia Brisini practicing the time-honored art of bread decor. Maria is joined by museum volunteer Panayota Papadopoulou, and the two prepare traditional fresh pasta known as Goglies. Back in New York, Chef Loi invites her friend Andriana Vamvakas into her kitchen to make a traditional sweet and savory Yiaourtopsomo (Yogurt Bread), and Macaroni me Yiaourti kai Feta (Pasta with Yogurt & Feta).

Chef Maria Loi demonstrates the power of flour in the beautiful Greek town of Varnavas, where she visits the European Bread Museum to observe the president of the museum, Milea Pappa, and Athanasia Brisini practicing the time-honored art of bread decor. Maria is joined by museum volunteer Panayota Papadopoulou, and the two prepare traditional fresh pasta known as Goglies. Back in New York, Chef Loi invites her friend Andriana Vamvakas into her kitchen to make a traditional sweet and savory Yiaourtopsomo (Yogurt Bread), and Macaroni me Yiaourti kai Feta (Pasta with Yogurt & Feta).

Chef Maria Loi shows us her Cretan start to the morning, soaking up the sun and sea as she sips on Ellinikos Kafes, traditional Greek coffee, and pastries. She then heads to Naxos, and after collecting some eggs, joins the Governor of Naxos, Ioannis Margaritis, to make a traditional Kayana (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato). Back in New York, she prepares a hearty breakfast "the Greek way" with the help of frequent diners turned friends, Deborah Grausman & Dr. Orlando Gonzalez. First, she makes Baklava Ravdakia (Baklava Sticks), Ravdakia me Tyri (Cheese Sticks), and Ellinikos Kafes (Traditional Greek Coffee) for Deborah, who literally sings with joy! Maria then follows that up with a twist on the traditional Kayana (Eggs in Tomato Sauce), serving it up with Dakos bread, jalapenos, and pecans.

Chef Maria Loi shows us her Cretan start to the morning, soaking up the sun and sea as she sips on Ellinikos Kafes, traditional Greek coffee, and pastries. She then heads to Naxos, and after collecting some eggs, joins the Governor of Naxos, Ioannis Margaritis, to make a traditional Kayana (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato). Back in New York, she prepares a hearty breakfast "the Greek way" with the help of frequent diners turned friends, Deborah Grausman & Dr. Orlando Gonzalez. First, she makes Baklava Ravdakia (Baklava Sticks), Ravdakia me Tyri (Cheese Sticks), and Ellinikos Kafes (Traditional Greek Coffee) for Deborah, who literally sings with joy! Maria then follows that up with a twist on the traditional Kayana (Eggs in Tomato Sauce), serving it up with Dakos bread, jalapenos, and pecans.

Chef Maria Loi shows us her Cretan start to the morning, soaking up the sun and sea as she sips on Ellinikos Kafes, traditional Greek coffee, and pastries. She then heads to Naxos, and after collecting some eggs, joins the Governor of Naxos, Ioannis Margaritis, to make a traditional Kayana (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato). Back in New York, she prepares a hearty breakfast "the Greek way" with the help of frequent diners turned friends, Deborah Grausman & Dr. Orlando Gonzalez. First, she makes Baklava Ravdakia (Baklava Sticks), Ravdakia me Tyri (Cheese Sticks), and Ellinikos Kafes (Traditional Greek Coffee) for Deborah, who literally sings with joy! Maria then follows that up with a twist on the traditional Kayana (Eggs in Tomato Sauce), serving it up with Dakos bread, jalapenos, and pecans.

Chef Maria Loi introduces us to the magical island of Corfu. Maria joins Chef Tasos Andriotis to serve up a seaside feast. On the menu are Fish Soup, Prawns Saganaki with Feta, Smoked Monkfish, Anchovies Saganaki, and Grilled Wild Greens. Inspired by the flavors of this meal, Maria creates some delicious dishes back in New York including Corfiot Shrimp and Monkfish Lobster-Style.

Chef Maria Loi introduces us to the magical island of Corfu. Maria joins Chef Tasos Andriotis to serve up a seaside feast. On the menu are Fish Soup, Prawns Saganaki with Feta, Smoked Monkfish, Anchovies Saganaki, and Grilled Wild Greens. Inspired by the flavors of this meal, Maria creates some delicious dishes back in New York including Corfiot Shrimp and Monkfish Lobster-Style.

Chef Maria Loi introduces us to the magical island of Corfu. Maria joins Chef Tasos Andriotis to serve up a seaside feast. On the menu are Fish Soup, Prawns Saganaki with Feta, Smoked Monkfish, Anchovies Saganaki, and Grilled Wild Greens. Inspired by the flavors of this meal, Maria creates some delicious dishes back in New York including Corfiot Shrimp and Monkfish Lobster-Style.

Chef Maria Loi takes us to the breathtaking and sustainable destination of Costa Navarino. Maria joins chefs Panagiotis Tziourtzioumis and Kiriakos Plevritis to prepare dishes from the heart of the Mediterranean diet: Grilled Red Mullet and Village Salad, and Braised Lamb with a Traditional Peasant Pasta. Back in New York, Maria serves up dishes inspired by her travels.

Chef Maria Loi takes us to the breathtaking and sustainable destination of Costa Navarino. Maria joins chefs Panagiotis Tziourtzioumis and Kiriakos Plevritis to prepare dishes from the heart of the Mediterranean diet: Grilled Red Mullet and Village Salad, and Braised Lamb with a Traditional Peasant Pasta. Back in New York, Maria serves up dishes inspired by her travels.