October 23 marked the first Breakfast My Way of the 2024-25 school year! Sponsored by the Parents’ Association DEI Committee, Breakfast My Way is an event held to bring parents together to learn about the breakfast traditions, holidays, and cultures of their fellow Gaynor families. This breakfast’s hosts were Christine and Stavros Tsibiridis, parents of Penelope in the Blue Cluster, and they shared their Greek culture and dishes with the Gaynor community.
During the family’s speech to kick off the event, Penelope let us in on a secret as she declared, “Greeks don’t eat breakfast!” Christine explained that the Greek people they know, and those in their family, generally have one big meal during the day, usually in the afternoon. But they do have something in the morning to hold them over until that large meal, and those snacks are what was on the menu for the event’s breakfast. The family also explained that a must-have as soon as Greeks wake up is “Greek coffee,” adapted from Turkish coffee, which involves a type of open coffee pot that you place coffee grounds and water in, and then boil them together over the stove. Stavros explained that despite straining the grounds out of the coffee, there will usually be some left in the drink, and that “a lot of people don’t like it,” to which Penelope chimed in, “You like it!”
The breakfast featured Greek yogurt with honey and fresh fruit for toppings, an array of baked goods including homemade pasta flora or “jam cake;” koulouri, which are Greek bagels; koulouraki or special celebration cookies; tiropita, which is a cheese pie; elipsomo, an olive bread; and more fresh fruit of watermelon and peaches. Christine explained that the watermelon and peaches were included because watermelon has been a Greek staple for centuries, and Greece is well known for their peaches, being the largest exporter of canned peaches in the world.
The family not only shared their culture with attendees via food, but also jewelry! There was a bowl of bracelets available for everyone to take, which featured charms that represent protection against what is known as “the evil eye.” The bracelets are worn to ward off negative energy caused by another’s jealousy. If a compliment is paid to someone in a conversation, Greek people will stop themselves and make a particular gesture to stop the evil eye from spreading. Attendees chose their preferred bracelet, ensuring everyone was fully protected!
Despite the cool October morning, the atmosphere of the EC garden was jovial and light, as everyone enjoyed their breakfast treats and good company. Penelope’s class even joined the event to support her and learn more about their friend’s culture. This was a wonderful event, and we look forward to the Breakfast My Ways to come throughout the year!
