I met Ilias as a judge on "Top Chef." Ilias stood out from the very beginning. Modest, observant, he surveyed the space, the ingredients, the kitchens, conversed with his colleagues, and proceeded to create imaginative dishes. He showed all his passion for cooking, which still defines him today. (Ilias Mamalakis)

Close your eyes and remember the smells in your mother's kitchen... The lunch table with the fragrant food that always awaited us after school, the Sunday table set with her art and knowledge to show us how much she loves us, and we eagerly waiting for her to place the platter with the most delicious roast lamb with potatoes we have ever eaten.

This book is a journey full of memories from childhood and adulthood, filled with love for everything fresh that the earth and the sea produce. It is packed with new techniques and traditional knowledge of Greek cuisine, filled with new ingredients and easy ways to cook the same delicious dishes we love, to make them easier, faster, more aromatic, and even more flavorful.

So set the table and invite all those who taught us to love and keep the most beautiful memories in our hearts...