Be My Guest with Steve Kriaris is a personal journey through 25 years of passion, perseverance, and purpose hosted by North America’s eminent Greek wine expert.
Hosted by Toronto native Steve Kriaris, this podcast brings together the voices and stories of the many people who have influenced his life and career.
From mentors and friends to colleagues and collaborators, each episode offers authentic conversations, reflections, and insights that shaped Steve’s path.
The first episode, rightfully named “How It All Began: My Journey Into Wine” was filmed and recorded at Meze Restaurant on The Danforth, the center of Toronto’s Greek community. Steve welcomed a longtime friend (and also an expert on wines from Greece) Elias Karkabasis.
The two shared a bottle of wine and went on a journey into their pasts, telling stories about their first encounters with Greek wines and to the present day.
A third friend and colleague joined Steve and Elias at the table the last few minutes of the podcast. Tony Pethakas, proprietor of Meze shared his own stories about not having Greek wines on his menu twenty-plus years ago, simply because Greek wines weren’t being imported.
Elias Karkabasis, left with Meze proprietor Tony Pethakas at right, with Steve Kriaris, center.
Steve Kriaris is an entrepreneur, consultant, philanthropist, and the founder and president of KOLONAKI Group of Companies in Toronto.
Born and raised to immigrant parents, he grew up with a strong connection to Greece and his European heritage. An entrepreneur from a young age, KOLONAKI Group was born after a trip to Greece in his early twenties when he realized the absence of quality Greek products in Canada.
He was the first to bring natural Greek mineral water to Canada in 2000. During subsequent trips back and forth, it was apparent to him that Canadians were missing out on quality and delectable Mediterranean wines.
He quickly expanded his company to include fine wines, beers and spirits.
Steve has spent most of the last two decades growing his company, which now consists of three divisions; Kolonaki Fine Wines, Kolonaki Fine Foods, and Kolonaki Fine Lifestyle. In addition to importing fine products, Steve enjoys creating his own. Ten years ago, he started his own wine label, Thalia, using grapes from Crete. His most recent creation is Da Capo espresso and Three Little Figs spread.
In 2012 he was recognized by The Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade with the Business Achievement Award.
His philanthropy and charitable support of numerous causes extends beyond Canada’s border and into the United States. Steve is a longtime member and major donor to the New York City-based Greek America Foundation and has supported numerous endeavors, including the organization’s “Project Hope for Greece” campaign when he donated a percentage of his wine sales to children’s charities in Greece.