LOS ANGELES, CA —This fall, Saint Sophia Philoptochos Society’s signature culinary event, An Epicurean Journey with Friends, will spotlight acclaimed chef and Greek Food Ambassador Maria Loi.  

A native of Greece, Loi is a restaurateur, author, entrepreneur, philanthropist and healthy lifestyle expert. Well-versed in providing engaging interactive experiences, Loi will host a series of three online cooking classes highlighting her renowned healthy Greek recipes and cooking techniques, from her kitchen to yours, via Zoom.

The classes, sponsored by ECOS, Loi Estiatorio and Loi Products, will be held monthly on Saturday at 11 AM Pacific Time on October 10, November 7, and December 5 and includes an online auction and door prizes. All of the proceeds benefit the national and local commitments of the Philoptochos.

“This year’s event offers us a rare opportunity to gather an audience above and beyond our Southern California community,” says Virginia Noyes, president of Saint Sophia Philoptochos. “With the effervescent and vibrant Chef Maria Loi front and center, families from coast to coast, will come together to cook in the comfort of their own kitchens and enjoy a fun-filled experience all in the good name of our beloved Philoptochos. Loi is internationally known for her healthy Greek cuisine, as well as her heart of gold and is a perfect fit for us this year and something we hope to continue with her when we’re all able to meet again in person.”

Chef Maria Loi wants to change the world, one healthy, Greek bite at a time. She holds the title of Ambassador of Greek Gastronomy from the Chef’s Club of Greece. Her restaurants Loi Estiatorio, in New York City and Kouzina Maria Loi in Nafpaktos, Greece feature fresh, healthy ingredients including a selection of recipes from her latest cookbook, The Greek Diet. Author of more than a dozen cookbooks, Chef Loi has also launched Loi Pasta, Loi Dips, as well as a line of fresh-frozen meals offered at Whole Foods Market. Chef Loi is the recipient of the prestigious Women’s Award from the Women Together Foundation at the United Nations, and the founder of the Elpida Foundation, which supports children with cancer, and she works closely with the Loukoumi Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

“Philoptochos” means “friends of the poor,” and all proceeds benefit the Saint Sophia Philoptochos Society providing charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach to those in need. 

This year’s Epicurean Journey with Friends is made possible by the generosity of these sponsors:  

ECOS, family owned and operated since 1967, ECOS makes environmentally friendly laundry detergents and cleaners that are safer for people, pets, and the planet. ECOS is a leader in sustainable manufacturing with the world’s first carbon neutral, water neutral, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste-certified facilities in the United States. ECOS cleaners are thoughtfully sourced, made without formaldehyde or dyes, pH balanced, readily biodegradable, and never tested on animals. The company has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s coveted Safer Choice Partner of the Year award. ECOS, Baby ECOS, ECOS Pets, and ECOS PRO cleaners are available at major club and grocery retailers and natural food stores throughout the U.S., internationally and online.

Loi Estiatorio is a casual fine dining establishment at 132 West 58th Street in New York City. The menu is based on Chef Loi’s culinary philosophy, featuring fresh, healthy ingredients including a selection of recipes from her latest book, The Greek Diet. 

Loi Products is Chef Maria Loi’s eponymous line of award-winning food products including dips, pasta, meli (organic Greek honey) and ladi (olive oil). The cold-pressed olive oil is grown, farmed, and harvested from a small family olive grove in Crete, and is the winner of the Sofi Award for best new olive oil in 2019.

The series of cooking classes with Chef Maria Loi will be held monthly on Saturday at 11 AM Pacific Time on October 10, November 7, and December 5 via Zoom. Cooking Classes: $65 per kitchen for 3 cooking classes or $25 per kitchen a la carte class, includes the recipe, a list of ingredients, instructions on how to use Zoom and unique access code and password before each class.  

No passport required and aprons are optional! 

For reservations and more info, contact: Tonifaye Palomares by phone: 310-560-0865 or email: [email protected]. 

To purchase classes online: stsophiaphiloptochos.org.