Contributors

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Petraki

Petraki is a multifaceted professional and storyteller with a career spanning over 25 years in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Transitioning from the corporate world to creative media, Petraki founded Sleeping Bear Productions, LLC in 2021, bringing his entrepreneurial vision to life through compelling content creation.

Petraki is the co-host of the acclaimed Baklava and Banter podcast alongside his brother, Sotiri, blending humor and heartfelt dialogue in a celebration of culture and family. His parents and grandparents all immigrated to the US from Constantinople between 1968-1970.

A proud Greek-American, Petraki's work reflects his strong ties to his heritage and his passion for community-driven storytelling. He resides in New Jersey, just outside New York City, where he continues to explore innovative media projects while staying rooted in his cultural legacy.

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Guests

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Chef Nicholas Poulmentis

Chef Nicholas Poulmentis is an award-winning Greek chef known for blending the timeless traditions of the Aegean with bold, modern technique. Born and raised on the island of Kythira, he brings the soul of Greek cuisine to every dish—rooted in simplicity, respect for ingredients, and the culinary philosophy shaped by legends like Nikolaos Tselementes.

After rising to prominence in New York City’s competitive dining scene, Poulmentis became celebrated for his elegant interpretations of Mediterranean flavors, television appearances, and collaborations with chefs across the country. His food is defined by precision, warmth, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

In February 2026, he will open Kythira NP in SoHo—a flagship restaurant inspired by his heritage, featuring modern Greek fare elevated through technique and storytelling. A chef, educator, and cultural ambassador, Nicholas Poulmentis continues to redefine what contemporary Greek cuisine can be.

https://www.kythiranp.com
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Dikran Tulaine

Dikran Tulaine (born John Dikran Utidjian, June 23, 1956) is an English-Armenian actor, playwright, and storyteller with a career spanning over four decades. Born in London, he grew up across the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the United States before returning to London in the mid-1970s to pursue acting. He later relocated to New York City and spent nearly a decade acting and directing with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company.

Best known for his recurring role as Max on NBC's The Blacklist (2013–2021), Tulaine has also appeared in The Walking Dead, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and Black Knight. He remains active in theater, voice-over work, and audiobook narration.

His latest project is Once a Week for Life (2026), a gritty New York indie crime film written and directed by George Zouvelos, following an NYPD lieutenant navigating corruption, addiction, and the mob. Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

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Maria Cominis

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Matt Wells

Hailing from Yorkshire, England, Matt is a retired professional who discovered his passion for writing later in life. With a lifelong interest in storytelling and cultural history, he brings a fresh and thoughtful voice to the literary scene. A Corfu Love Affair—his first novel—is a romantic and introspective journey set on the idyllic Greek island of Corfu. Through themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, Wells weaves a poignant narrative that speaks to the heart while evoking a deep sense of wanderlus

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Peter Barber

Peter Barber is a British-born author. He now lives between England and Greece. Peter is married to his Greek wife Alexandra. Peters’ books are non-fiction humour and based on true life experiences and musings.

His most recent book: A Parthenon on Our Roof, has reached number 1 in Amazon bestseller charts.

Peter enjoys travelling around Greece and is a member of the UK’s Society of Authors.

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Shelley Dark

After a lifetime raising cattle on Queensland’s Granite Belt, my husband and I traded life in the bush for the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. When I’m not writing novels, travelling and capturing my world through an iPhone lens, I’m marvelling at my clever grandchildren. I’m a member of the ALLWRiTE Club, a dynamic and supportive writers’ group of memorable characters worthy of a novel on their own. 

My books include Hydra in Winter (2024), about my journey to the Greek island of Hydra in search of my husband's ancestor, Ghikas Voulgaris—Australia's first Greek convict pioneer who was sentenced to death for piracy. Soon to come are Son of Hydra, a historical novel inspired by Ghikas' life; and Daughter of Cork—the story of his Irish wife; and more travel memoirs. 

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