At the age of 91, Vefa Alexiadou died. The beloved chef was facing many health problems, according to information, and was recently hospitalized at the “Papanikolaou” hospital in Thessaloniki.
Vefa Alexiadou, in recent years, settled permanently in Halkidiki. In fact, she revealed in an earlier interview that the house she had been living in for the past few years was what was left of all her wealth, which she spent in hospitals with her serious health problems her.
The beloved chef faced many health problems and was recently hospitalized in the “Papanikolaou” hospital.
Who was Vefa Alexiadou?
Vefa Alexiadou was born in Volos on March 19, 1933. Her grandfather, Charilaos Voulgaris or Makedonas, was born in Mouresi na Pelion in 1880. He got the name “Macedonian” because he fought in the Macedonian War (1904 – 1908) against the Bulgarian. Odyssea Voulgaris’ father was born in Kissos Pelion in 1900. He was a furniture maker by profession and at the same time a talented instrument maker, an excellent craftsman in making musical instruments, such as mandolins, guitars and bouzoukis.
Her mother, Aggeliki Ioannidou, was born in Constantinople in 1910. She came to Greece with the persecution of 1922 at the age of 12. The couple had two children, Genovefa (Vefa) and Zenovia (Voula). Her father died suddenly of a heart attack two days before the start of World War II, aged just 40.
Vefa Alexiadou finished second grade in Volos. During the Career, he continued to school in Florina.
In 1944, when the family returned to Volos, Vefa continued her studies at the Gymnasium. At the same time, he studied violin at the “Odeio Conti” where he received a diploma of higher studies.
He completed the last two grades of high school in Thessaloniki. He studied chemistry at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. After graduating, she worked for 13 years at the N. Krallis company, as a chemist and later as a commercial representative of scientific instruments. He was a member of the Greek Chamber of Commerce, obtaining a trade representative licence.
Since 1998 he has been a member of the IACP (International Association Cookinary Professionals). He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Center “Archestratos” to rescue and spread Greek culinary traditions.
For 30 years he participated in the Frankfurt International Book Fair and was an honorary representative of the Export Promotion Organization (OPE), promoting Greek products internationally.
At University she met her husband, Konstantinos Alexiadis, originally from Soufli, Thrace. Konstantinos Alexiadis pursued a university career and became a Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of the Polytechnic University of
They married on 17 May 1959. They had two daughters, Angeliki and Alexia, and two granddaughters, Hara and Vefa.
On January 6, 2006, her husband Kostas Alexiadis died. They follow him in the neighborhood of angels a few years later, suddenly, unexpectedly and prematurely, their youngest daughter Alexia Alexiadou on October 28, 2014 and their eldest daughter Angeliki Alexiadou on February 10 , 2015. In June 2015, Voulas lost his beloved sister.
In 1964, Vefa Alexiadou moved with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter, Angeliki, to America. They spent a year in Madison Wisconsin, at one time on her husband’s scholarship from the Fulbright Foundation.
Twenty years later, in 1984, husband Costas Alexiadis travels on Sabbatical to America. So Vefa and her family are there for another year. Specifically 6 months in N. York and 6 months in San Francisco. Vefa attended Berkeley University courses in Dietetics, Food Hygiene, Contemporary Culinary Art and seminars in Presentation Decoration and Food Photography. Also seminars on foreign cuisine, such as Indian, Chinese and Mexican.
Because of her innate love of cooking, her talent and skill in improvisation, creating individual dishes, she spent many hours in the kitchen. Not only did the dishes that came out of his hands taste great but also a great presence! Vefa Alexiadou modernized Greek cuisine, using modern methods and appliances, while maintaining the traditional flavor.
In 1980, at the urging of her friends who tasted and enjoyed her food, she began her writing and publishing career by publishing her first book “Invitation to a Meal” with her own money and with the help of Dimitris Tsirimokos, the editor of magazine. Health and Beauty , of which Vefa was then a partner
The great success of her first book inspired her to write and publish 3 more books covering the whole range of social events: Invitations to Children’s Parties, Invitations to Tea and Invitations to Cocktails, books that were instantly loved by the Greek public.
Her publishing career continued in 1988 with the book Hellenic Cooking. A year later the Hellenic Pastry book followed.
In 2004, on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Athens, Ta Best of Greek Cuisine was released. Small books with selected recipes from the most popular Greek cooking and confectionery, accessible to every wallet and easily carried by the traveller. They were translated into 7 languages and the success of their release during the Olympic Games was unprecedented.
His years on television
In 1990, and for 13 years, Vefa Alexiadou, who wants to share her knowledge with thousands of people who are interested and love cooking, began her television appearance on the daily show of ANT1 Breakfast Coffee, through which, for some For many years, she nurtured the Greek housewives on the correct use and correct measurement of the products,
Video from Morning Coffee in 1991:
In 2003, she started her own one hour daily show on MEGA titled “The Secrets of Vefa” for two years.
Video from the show “The Secrets of Vefa”:
He continues with Morning Coffee on the Alpha channel for two months to support the show, which had just been transferred from ANT-1. She continued on Alfa with her own show series “In the Kitchen with Vefa” for a year, on the ALTER channel with the shows “Cooking with Vefa” for two years, on Blue Sky for two years and in 2009 on the Cyprus channel Sigma. TV “Cooking with Vefa and Alexia Alexiadou”.
In 1993, after a demand from the world that encouraged her to bring to the Greek market all the tools and utensils she had chosen and used in her kitchen, she started with the franchise system to operate Vefa House, a large chain of 26 shops, kitchenware in the whole country. It was the love and response of the world as well and this entrepreneurial endeavor was a resounding success.
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How did Vefa Alexiadou influence modern Greek cooking and culinary traditions?
Vefa Alexiadou, born on March 19, 1933, in Volos, Greece, was a prominent figure in the culinary world, particularly known for her contributions to modern Greek cuisine. Her heritage includes a lineage that faced significant challenges, with her grandfather, Charilaos Voulgaris, having fought in the Macedonian War. Vefa grew up in a family that valued craftsmanship and musical talent, with her father being a skilled instrument maker.
Her academic journey included studying violin and chemistry at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Vefa’s professional career began as a chemist, where she worked for 13 years and became involved in the promotion of Greek products internationally.
She married Konstantinos Alexiadis on May 17, 1959, and together they had two daughters. The family relocated to America in 1964, where Vefa furthered her education in dietetics and contemporary culinary arts, which fueled her passion for cooking.
Vefa Alexiadou started her writing career in 1980, publishing her first book, “Invitation to a Meal,” which captured the attention of the Greek public. Her subsequent publications included topics on children’s parties, tea gatherings, and cocktails, showcasing her versatility in culinary arts. She gained widespread recognition with her books, including “Hellenic Cooking” and “Ta Best of Greek Cuisine,” the latter released in time for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Beyond her writing, Vefa was a beloved television personality. From 1990 to 2003, she shared her culinary expertise through her shows, beginning with “Breakfast Coffee” on ANT1 and later hosting “The Secrets of Vefa” on MEGA. Her programs focused on practical cooking tips and encouraged many Greek homemakers to embrace cooking.
Vefa’s influence extended into her efforts to preserve and promote Greek culinary traditions, and she was recognized by the International Association of Culinary Professionals as a member. She was also involved in various organizations aimed at promoting Greek culture and cuisine.
Despite facing personal tragedies, including the deaths of her husband and daughters, Vefa Alexiadou remained a cherished figure in the culinary world until her passing. Her legacy continues through her contributions to Greek gastronomy and her inspirational approach to cooking.