Monday 25 April 2011

The people behind the company behind the products.

My name is Chris Kamarianakis. My brother, Tim, and I represent our family business, Kamarianakis Estates. We are craftsmen of fine Greek Olive Oils. We are artisans for whom the process of producing olive oil is an annual labour of love, and a lifetime of learning. We are also deeply vested in co-creating new ways of doing business in a seriously messed up world, and finding the old ways that existed (and worked) before some of the newer ways took us all down a dubious path.

We are a family of values and conviction who hold an enormous amount of respect for the land. We practice sustainable, heritage farming and believe in the vibrancy of strong local communities. Over the years Tim, an archaeologist by trade, has become a leader in the reemergence of ancient artisanal growing techniques in Greece, a movement that is being echoed around the world today in response to the decimation of local plant crop varietals and big-box, super-mechanized farming methods. Read about some of his work at www.artemisoliveoil.com if you have a chance.

We are not a company whose focus is selling vast quantities of "product". We are a family business always looking for relationships with people who are like minded and drawn to a way of conducting business that is more fulfilling, whether that is a with fellow foodie, a merchant of fine food, or a category manager of a large chain trying to make a difference in their customers' lives. Don't get me wrong, we are building a company to create financial security for our families, however the models we use and the principles we stand by in doing so are what make us part of the new food revolution and will be our legacy.

We are storytellers with a passion for celebrating good food and the community that it creates. It is a true relationship of trust and respect between Customer and Merchant, and between Merchant and Producer that we are drawn to. We believe in transparency, honesty, and a desire for hard work, motivated by a fundamental understanding that if I look after my village, then my village will look after me.

If you will indulge us, this blog will be our outlet for explaining and expressing our perspective on food, agriculture and community, and explain how we are trying to help the world of business grow in a more sustainable holistic and meaningful manner.

Thank you for your time and support.

Chris Kamarianakis
Guelph, Ontario Canada

Thursday 21 April 2011

KAMARIANAKIS ESTATES


Nestled in the rugged mountains of Southern Greece are the olive groves and farmstead of the Kamarianakis family. Inspired by the majestic suroundings and a family legacy that goes back generations, Chris and Tim Kamarianakis produce some of the world's finest olive oils. 

Kamarianakis Estates recently won a Gold Medal, two Silvers and Three Bronzes at the prestigious Los Angeles Olive Oil Competition, including medals for all four Twisted Pit olive oils.

"It's always nice to get the accolades" says Tim Kamarianakis "What really counts for us, though, is the feedback we get from people who truly enjoy our olive oil creations. We are constantly amazed at how creative people are in the kitchen with Twisted Pit". 

Kamarianakis Estates is known as the only Estate to commercially produce a single varietal olive oil of the "Patrinia" olive varietal. The olive oil used in Twisted Pit is a dual varietal blend using 70% Manaki olive and 30% Patrinia. 

"Patrinia is incredibly rare." Says Chris Kamariarianakis. "Here's a varietal that was prolific for three-thousand years, then simply disappeared over the last 50 years. It did not respond well to the modern mechanized farming methods of the late 20th century". explains Chirs. "Farmers decided it was easier to pull their Patrinies out and replace them with varietals that didn't require the same level of care and attention. We didn't feel we had that option as Tim and I had planted our trees with our father when we were young boys." 

Tim Kamarianakis, an archaeologist in Greece, made it his life's work to discover the methods and practices used by the ancient Greeks that made this varietal flourish. Today their olive groves are a living example of "heritage farming" at its very best. 

Kamarianakis Estates produces the highly acclaimed Artemis Organic Olive Oil, as well as Twisted Pit Flavoured Olive Oils. Tim and Chris Kamarianakis also devote a considerable amount of time educating and assisting other food craftsmen bring their artisnal products to the international market.

Monday 18 April 2011

Daring olive oil infusions for the adventurous palate!

Introducing Twisted Pit from Kamarianakis Estates - four uniquely flavoured olive oils that will tantalize, surprise, and mesmerize your senses. 

Using the highest quality organic Greek olive oils, the Twisted Pitcollection is guaranteed to please your palate with a melange of new-age flavour and old-world quality. Add drama to dinnertime, and transform any meal into a five-star event.

Inspired by their love of adventurous kitchen creativity, Chris and Tim Kamarianakis conceived the Twisted Pit collection to showcase the variety of new and distinctive food experiences possible with organic Greek olive oils.

"We begin with our superb single estate organic olive oil from Kamarianakis Estates inGreece, and add fresh organic ingredients and flavours from the surrounding area," says Tim Kamarianakis. "The result: savory olive oils of exceptional quality, great versatility, and sensational flavour."

"Twisted Pit is our homage to good times in the kitchen," says Chris Kamarianakis. "We have recaptured those moments of adventure and creative inspiration in the kitchen, when we enjoy "twisting" family recipes and old favorites by experimenting with new combinations of ingredients and flavours."

Try Kamarianakis Estates Twisted Pit...and get "twisted" with us in your kitchen today!
www.twistedpit.com
www.twitter.com/twistedpit