Greek Couple Conquers New Zealand with Souvlaki – ‘Grab a Gyro with Everything’

Long queues of people, both young and old, are forming daily in New Zealand for one thing: souvlaki. Sophia Kasoulidou and her husband, Giorgos Apostolakis, are offering moments of delicious indulgence with the most traditional Greek street food. Even in New Zealand, they’ve taught locals to love a ‘gyro with everything,’ as citizens call it, served from trucks converted by the Greek couple into fast-food eateries known as ‘Greek Food Trucks.’ Sophia Kasoulidou, who worked in fashion while living in Santorini, decided upon returning to New Zealand, where she was born to Greek parents, to introduce the most popular Greek street foods alongside her husband. The couple started with one truck selling gyros made with meat, tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and chips. Their success has been overwhelming, leading them to expand to two trucks and even sell their own version of moussaka at supermarkets. The couple highlights that New Zealand is a multicultural hub open to new flavors, contributing significantly to their venture’s success. They also cater weddings, parties, corporate events, and attend festivals and fairs, making their food trucks very popular. With over a decade in business, thousands of local residents have learned to enjoy Greek cuisine. Giorgos prepares baklava and spanakopita daily, crafting a variety of meat and vegetarian souvlaki, salads, and Greek desserts. Their menu continues to grow, including unique items like the ‘Aphrodite’ souvlaki with halloumi and bacon, and a mixed souvlaki with grilled lamb and chicken. Sophia and Giorgos strive to preserve their traditions through authentic Greek flavors, traveling across New Zealand. This tradition is not only upheld by them but also by Giorgos’ son, who opened a popular Greek coffee cart.