Greek Food Fest set to return to Oakmont

A relaxed atmosphere with plenty of food and fun is what people should expect at the upcoming Greek Food Festival in Oakmont.

Even volunteers are ready to loosen up after all the pandemic adjustments the past few years, event co-chairman Andy Gavrilos said about the annual celebration at Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church on Washington Avenue.

“For the first time in four years, we get to kind of take a breath,” he said. “Every year was a little different. It’s kind of nice this year to not have to force a lot of changes.

“We are going to implement a few things that we have learned over a few years and not really rock the boat much in terms of things that are different. We went from a drive-thru to an all-outside festival, to last year when it was a (more traditional) festival, but with some changes.”

Gavrilos said they did lose some volunteers and may not have as many familiar faces behind the tables.

“We’re struggling a little bit there, but we’re reaching out to volunteer families (and) their friends to fill holes in our scheduling,” he said.

Layout remains largely the same as last year. It includes a big tent in the front lot and more outdoor seating to accommodate everyone who desires to sit outside and fully enjoy the festival atmosphere. Pastries and honey balls will be at their traditional location, at the building across from the main hall.

There will be three lines in the main hall for people to order everything, including gyros, and very limited desserts. Gyros were only available outside under the tent at previous festivals.

Almond and pistachio baklava and chocolate brownies are back on the dessert menu, along with other favorites like kataifi, which is a nut mixture wrapped in shredded filo and baked; galatoboureko, a custard treat baked into layers of filo; and kourambiethes, butter cookies topped with powdered sugar.

Gavrilos said a few inconveniences still linger from covid, such as supply chain shortages and increased costs. Some vendors also changed. Prices of nearly everything on the menu — such as the signature dinners Chicken Alexis, lamb shanks, pork souvlaki and the church’s legendary gyros — were raised $1 to compensate.

“We made a conscious decision to absorb some of that and not pass it all along, but things continue to rise,” Gavrilos said. “At the end of the day, this is a major fundraiser for the church. We felt we needed to adjust our prices. We take pride in our quality and our consistency year in and year out.”

Online ordering with curbside pickup is available. People must order by 9 p.m. a day prior to pickup. More information is available starting June 19 at us.orderspoon.com/oakmont-greekfest-online.

Customers also can purchase frozen half-pans of spanakopita and pastitso. Each have at least 12 servings.

Cash transactions are prohibited. Debit or credit cards will be accepted.

More than just food

The Greek Food Festival is more than just gyros and honey balls. It is a chance to immerse oneself in Greek culture.

There will be live entertainment, including church youth dance groups, the Grecian Odyssey Dancers and the Junior Grecian Stars.

“We appreciate the support of the local communities, and we pride ourselves in sharing our culture with our guests,” Gavrilos said. “We just look forward to seeing everybody again, hoping everybody enjoys the food, tastes a pastry and kind of sits back and relax and enjoy the music and the dancing.”

More information including a full menu is posted on the event’s Facebook page. More information about the event is available at dormitionpgh.org or by calling 412-828-4144.