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Pictured is Taste of Crete owner Esther Psarakis

Pictured is Taste of Crete owner Esther Psarakis

Taste of Crete, a gourmet food company, is the winner of the SBDC RVCC 2005 Success Award. According to Taste of Crete (TOC) founder, Esther Psarakis, “Taste of Crete was born out of a personal passion for the people, culture, history and food of Crete.” Ms. Psarakis, born and raised in America, married into a Greek family. After several annual excursions to her husband’s family farm in Crete she began to understand the history and dietary importance of olive oil in the Greek culture.

Pictured L to R: NJSBDC State Director Brenda Hopper, Esther Psarakis, RVCC SBDC Regional Director Sue Johnson, Barbara Roos and RVCC SBDC Assistant Director Bill Harnden.

Pictured L to R: NJSBDC State Director Brenda Hopper, Esther Psarakis, RVCC SBDC Regional Director Sue Johnson, Barbara Roos and RVCC SBDC Assistant Director Bill Harnden.

TOC’s officially opened its doors for business in early 2004 and began importing Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Crete. The oil carries the “PDO, Protected Designation of Origin” seal, a highly coveted European Union recognition for quality. In 2005 TOC introduced ‘Evangelia’s Traditional Greek Cookies’ to its line of products. The recipe is made with olive oil and wine. Also in 2005 TOC gained national recognition by winning a Silver Medal at the 2005 International Olive Oils of the World Competition. Visit their Greek specialty foods website.