Yannis and Aysegul Trifyllis hail from Greece and Turkey, respectively—countries enriched with their own set of cultural heritage, which find common ground in the Mediterranean basin; countries that take pride in their cuisine, as most of those around that historic sea, which cradled many a civilization.
They married in 2007 and they set out to make Greece their permanent home. However, fate dictated otherwise.
Yannis, a Business Administration graduate, being employed in a Maritime company with headquarters in Greece, was assigned to run their Philippine branch office. Aysegul, an architect by profession, made the most of their first stay in Manila as expats earning a certificate as a pastry chef and culinary chef at Global Academy. They repatriated in 2010, after the first mandate was over, but returned to the Philippines a year after, when the opportunity presented itself.
Then fate stepped in once again in 2013. After much pondering, Yannis decided to turn his back on the corporate world and, as a couple, they decided to try their luck in the food business here in the country.
After all, Greece could no longer provide a suitable environment, considering the looming crisis. Of course, it can be difficult to live far from family. However, technology nowadays provides easy access to keep family ties intact, no matter the distance.
Neither had any experience as restaurateurs, but coming from countries that put a premium in well-prepared home-cooked meals and each family has treasured recipés to pass on, they confidently ventured in providing first their brand of real home cooked Greek food—testing the local market joining bazaars and the Sunday market in Legazpi Village, Makati.
They took it upon themselves to serve real Greek-Mediterranean food, without capitulating to the local taste, using only the freshest and most authentic ingredients, thus carving a niche for themselves as the real deal.
Living in the Southern part of Metro Manila, they opened their first restaurant after garnering many enthusiastic patrons who truly appreciated what they had to offer. They named it Blè. It was, at first, a hole-in-the-wall establishment, which soon could no longer accommodate the number of guests wanting to have a taste of real Greek food. So they expanded in the same area, then setting their sights on Makati.
They have been serving clients on a soft-opening mode at their second restaurant in A-Venue, preparing to officially open their doors on June 18. Incidentally, Blè Makati’s grand opening is happening accompanied by the sounds of Fete de la Musique as the place is one of the main stages in Makati, a most befitting coincidence.
While they are nurturing their rewarding business, they also grow as a family and, thankfully, the Philippines provides a suitable environment to do so. A country that embraced this couple, who took upon themselves the mission to share real Greek food and culture with the people in their second home.