US President Barack Obama greeted hundreds of prominent Greek Americans at the 30th Annual White House Greek Independence Day dinner which took place on April 4. Addressing the Greek community, he welcomed guests to the Lefkos Ikos (White House). He emphasized the relationship between Greece and the United States that is deeply rooted in history. 

“Our cultures are deeply connected,” he said. “Michelle is constantly filling our refrigerator with Greek yogurt.” On a more serious note, his speech focused on the bonds that bind both countries as allies, ending with the phrase, Zito i Ellada! (Long Live Greece).

Greek-American ties were sealed with mouth-watering food prepared by Filipino-American chef Cristeta Comerford, who has been the White House chef since 2005. On the menu were numerous meatless offerings, bearing in mind the fact that the meal was held during the Greek-Orthodox Lent period and attended by high-ranking Greek Orthodox officials as well as a large number of guests who follow the 40-day fast.

Guests sampled the best of Greek cuisine with moussaka, spanakopita (spinach pie), dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with minced lamb and rice), Cretan-style skordalia (garlic dip) with beetroot, crab and zucchini cakes and a host of other scrumptious traditional recipes.

The three desserts on offer included pasta flora (sweet tart), galaktoboureko (custard in filo pastry) and traditional Greek baklava.