Susanna Hoffman
Greece's Culinary Ambassador
As a young child at age seven, Susanna Hoffman, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, knew she was destined for a transfusion of Greek culture when she began playing Greeks and Romans with her dolls. Upon entering graduate school for anthropological studies, she was certain that Greece was where she was going. After arriving in Greece in the late 60s, she immediately fell in love with this precious country and culture and took a ferry to Santorini, where she was told there were over 3,000 churches on such a small island.
The three thousand churches actually turned out to be chapels, but Susanna was still at awe with Santorini's beauty, which has her coming back for the last 40 years. Susanna got involved with the natives and began living her daily life according to how Santorinians did. Each day included the gathering of foods such as vlita, snails, fruits, and vegetables. She was quickly accepted by the locals and was now considered, "H Susanna Mas" (Our Susanna). At this point her loe for the culture has intensified to the point where Susanna proclaims that everyone needs a "Tranfusion of Olive Oil".
Susanna quickly began to learn how to cook a variety of different local dishes from Santorini with some of the islands indigenous and unique ingredients. She began to understand the significance of different dishes according to customs and traditions. This memorable journey during her academic years of studying to be an anthropologist in Greece has converted Susanna to more than just a Phil-Hellene, but justifiably "A True Greek", with passion, devotion, commitment, and for the love of life.
Upon acquiring her Ph.D., (from the University of California, Berkeley), Susanna began writing and producing amazing pieces based on her experiences in Greece. She is the author of ten books, including the 'Olive & The Caper' and has produced two ethnographic films which one of is the award winning 'KYPSELI: WOMEN AND MEN APART'. She has written articles based on Greek cuisine for Bon Apetit Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Greece in Print, Greek Gourmet Traveler, and a booklet for Olympic Airlines.
Susanna continues to lecture around the world, especially in the United States demonstrating Greek cuisine in over 50 cities. She has made appearances and presentations at Kyma Restaurant in Atlanta, Meze Estiatorio in Boston, and many of Manhattan's premier Greek restaurants. In June of 2006, Susanna appeared on Greek television with Vefa and visited the vineyards of the Cyclades and Peloponessos. She has made numerous appearances on television discussing Greek cuisine, disasters, and other subject matters on Good Morning America, Oprah, Discovery, The Food Network, CNN, PBS, and many others.
In 2001, Susanna was the first recipient of the Fulbright Foundation Aegean Initiative Fellowship between Greece and Turkey, giving presentations, lectures, and conferences in both countries. Susanna has just been appointed to be a People to People Ambassador to China in 2007. Susanna's plate continues to stay full with her participation as a member of The American Anthropological Association, The Modern Greek Studies Association, The International Association of Culinary Professionals, International Research Committee on Disasters, American Ethnological Society, Society for the Anthropology of Europe, Environmental Anthropology, Project Concern International, Risk Red Advisory Board, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Performers. Oh, actually I forgot one more, "H Methismenes Myteres" (the Intoxicated Mother's Society). Jokingly calling themselves this, Susanna and some of her closest and dearest friends from Santorini get together once a year and travel the different islands of the Cyclades and enjoy food and wine.
Susanna will be preparing small gourmet cruises in Greece during the fall of 2008, lecturing on the culture of Greece through food.
Susanna's Favorite Ingredient: OLIVE OIL
Susanna's Favorite at home recipe: PAPOUTSAKIA
Restaurants: Susanna was one of the first owners of the famous Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley and she along with Victoria Wise owned The Good and Plenty Café together in Oakland, California.
