When Christos Vassilopoulos started selling tzatziki from his restaurant, he didn't expect a demand for the product year round.
"I thought people would only eat it when they barbecue," he explained. "But I was wrong, and I'm glad I was."
Demand has continued growing since Vassilopoulos first packaged the sauce in 1996. Based near Kelowna, B.C., he's outgrown the restaurant and now works with his daughter and 12 employees to make tzatziki, hummus and roasted potatoes. His business, Greek House Market, is now producing CO-OP GOLD PURE® Tzatziki for Co-op Food Stores across Western Canada.
"What makes the product different is the recipe and the ingredients—that's most important," he said.
Vassilopoulos' recipe is based on his knowledge and experience in the industry—he trained and worked in Greece before immigrating to Canada in 1986.
He sources yogurt from Alberta that is made from real milk without any modifiers. Vassilopoulos said he uses fresh ingredients, whole garlic instead of powder for example, and local ingredients whenever possible. The results are an authentic sauce best served with hot pita bread, calamari, pan-fried zucchini or souvlaki.
"It's what gives me pleasure. Other people like to play golf…but my pleasure is to create," he said. "Every time I make a plate or make tzatziki, I love it. If I love it, other people will love it too."
Look for Co-op Gold Pure Tzatziki in the fresh section of your local Co-op Food Store.