NEW YORK – The Greek skincare brand Korres is well-known for its many wonderful products and on March 10 at Lee’s in Manhattan it celebrated the launch of its new Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel Cream, crafted with love in Greece.

Korres Chief Marketing Officer Annie Bystryn gave the welcoming remarks and noted the history of the Greek company, founded by the husband and wife team of George and Lena Korres, with their focus on high quality, natural ingredients. Bystryn then introduced the wonderful new product, Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel Cream, highlighting the fact that the Greeks have used yogurt for thousands of years not only for its many nutritional and health benefits as a protein-rich food full of beneficial probiotics, but also for the skin. The fact that it is strained makes Greek yogurt so creamy and delicious and also concentrates the proteins and nutrients that are so good for the skin and for general health. “The Greeks invented beauty,” she said, adding that Greek mothers and grandmothers would use yogurt to treat burns and spread it on their children for sunburns.

Attendees had the opportunity to try the Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel Cream with its light and smooth texture and a refreshing, light scent. Bystryn also noted lightheartedly that while there is Greek yogurt in the cream, it is for the skin and not for eating, adding that the event would continue with a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious three-course, home-cooked, authentic Greek meal.

The cooking demonstration was presented by Chef Despina Economou who was assisted by her daughter Rona. Chef Despina is the “Greek Yiayia” for the League of Kitchens, a company offering cooking classes taught by grandmothers of various nationalities and experts in the cuisine of their respective homelands.

Originally from Chalkis, Greece, Chef Despina moved to the U.S. in the 1970s, where she worked as a registered nurse for over forty years, got married and had two daughters. She noted that her love of home cooking has rubbed off on her older daughter, Rona, who started Boubouki, a Greek food stand at the Essex Street Market. Though the food stand has closed, her daughter still runs Boubouki as a pop-up, and works as a personal chef.

Chef Despina’s cooking demonstration began with a melitzanosalata (eggplant spread) made with Greek yogurt, and some Greek olive oil, salt, parsley, and lemon to taste. Chef Despina then demonstrated how to make tzatziki, the famous Greek yogurt sauce that is typically served with souvlaki and other grilled meats and is also served as a spread with toasted pita bread. The demonstration concluded with a Greek yogurt parfait, combining the classic Greek flavors and ingredients, yogurt, honey, walnuts and cinnamon, for an easy to assemble dessert.

The attendees enjoyed appetizers that included spanakopita and pita wedges with the melitzanosalata. Following the cooking demonstration, everyone sat down for a flavorful Greek meal that began with a classic Greek salad featuring tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, feta, and Greek extra virgin olive oil. The next course featured keftedes (Greek meatballs) with tzatziki and oven-roasted potatoes. For dessert, the guests assembled their own Greek yogurt parfaits, for a fun conclusion to the delicious meal. Greek wines were served at the event, a white wine from Kefalonia and a red from Crete, which were perfectly paired with all the courses.

Guests were also given a Korres tote bag with wonderful Korres gifts, including samples of the Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser and the new  Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel Cream.

Korres products are available at Sephora stores and also online: www.korresusa.com