IF it is family that is the glue of society, then there is a lot of the adhesive at The New Chambers Restaurant, Sutherland.
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Three generations of the one Greek family labour with love and passion to serve the best and tastiest of dishes to their customers.
This devotion to food and homely atmosphere saw the restaurant crowned 2014 Business of the Year.
Restauranteur and patriach of the business John Hatzikiriakos said the win last Wednesday night at the Sutherland Shire Local Business Awards dinner at Doltone House, Sylvania, was "amazing".
"We've won before in other categories in 2011 and 2012 but this is the first time we've been business of the year," he said.
Winning the restaurant — family category was one thing but taking out the top award of business of the year would be a big boost to the restaurant, Mr Hatzikiriakos said.
Grandfather John Hatzikiriakos of Carss Park arrived in Australia at 13 without any English and went straight to work at a Kogarah milk bar.
Today he boasted that at 69 he has never been without work.
"I enjoy the buzz," he said. "My wife and I have been together for 45 years and we cook together and have lots and lots of arguments but we're still together."
His son Kon and grandson Yanni work at the restaurant.
When Yanni, 18, of Connells Point, stepped up to the stage at Doltone House to receive the trophy on behalf of the family business, the words "love" and "passion" sprang to his lips spontaneously.
Afterwards, the young man added the word ‘‘family’’ to the reasons that the restaurant had succeeded.
‘‘We serve quality but there is love behind it all,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s being proud of what you make, and love of family; we work as a family, it is truly a family restaurant.’’
Yanni was only 10 when he was introduced to restaurant life and these days he serves customers at The New Chambers which also took out the restaurant — family category.
His grandfather’s devotion to the restaurant business gave him ‘‘bigger shoes’’ to fill. ‘‘It’s love of family that keeps us going, it’s what gets the job done at the end of the day.’’
Yanni works part-time at the restaurant and is studying architecture at TAFE.
LIST OF WINNERS
Automotive Services: KarPro Tyre & Auto.
Bakery/Cake Shop: The Purple Patisserie
Beauty Services: Laserclinics Australia
Café: Raw Sugar
Child Care Services: Mikarie Child Care Centre
Children’s Fashion Store: Bambiniz Boutique
Community Services: Jannali Neighbourhood Aid
Delicatessen/Gourmet Food: Deli Fresco
Fast Food/Takeaway: South Beach Seafoods
Fitness Services: Commando Tough
Florist: Your Favourite Florist
Hairdresser: Progressive Heads
Health Improvement Services: Specialist Sports Medicine Centre
Holiday & Travel: Shire Travel Hotel
Bottle Shop/Bar: Como Hotel
Jewellery Store: Pontifex Jewellers
New Business: Yogurberry — Cronulla
Pet Care: Sylvania Veterinary Hospital
Pharmacy: Blooms The Chemist — Cronulla
Poultry/ Fish/ Meat: Pacific
Gourmet Meats
Professional Services: FMA Partners
Real Estate Agency: Payne Pacific Estate Agents
Restaurant - Family: The New Chambers Restaurant
Restaurant - Fine Dining: The Duck Republic
Service & Trade: Priority Plus Plumbing
Specialised Business: Caterina Franco Music Tuition
Specialised Retail Business: B Smart Bova Living
Women’s Fashion: Katies Fashion
Youth Award: Victoria Spiteri
Business Person of the Year: Sullivan Dewing Business Builders
Business of the Year: The New Chambers Restaurant.
What do you think makes an award-winning business?
