Michael Gavriel, Director, Olympus Cheese
Good food, family and sport ...
In the backstreets of an industrial pocket of Coorparoo, Michael Gavriel, his wife Desiree and their team of helpers can be found crafting their beloved Olympus Cheese products by hand – cooking whey, cutting curd and sprinkling herbs. Traditional Cypriot cheese-making methods are navigated every step of the way, demanding utmost care and painstaking attention to detail. But these high standards come as no surprise, given the company has been proudly owned by the Gavriel family for almost 20 years. Originally founded by Con Bouras in the 1970s, Olympus Cheese has become a Brisbane institution and is a mainstay at major local events like the Paniyiri Greek Festival and South Bank’s Regional Flavours. Michael and Desiree have expanded the business from a small operation making cheese in the back of a house in Ferry Road, West End to a successful boutique cheese manufacturer catering to large-scale wholesale orders from their factory in Coorparoo. Olympus now distributes a growing range of award-winning products to retail stores, farmers markets, restaurants, catering companies, pasta manufacturers and pizza shops across northern New South Wales and Queensland, with plans to add a yoghurt line soon. The Weekend Edition chatted to Michael to find out how he likes to unwind on a weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
After a hectic week at Olympus Cheese, I like to go for a walk along the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and enjoy a cup of coffee at champ kitchen & bar at South Bank.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
I enjoy going to the Jan Power’s Powerhouse Farmers Market at New Farm, where I can source fresh produce from local farmers and suppliers like Tom from Tenterfield Apples.
How do you like to unwind?
I enjoy going to my local rugby union club at Souths to watch their games.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Good food, family and some form of sport – even if it’s only watching it.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Getting into my veggie patch to prepare it for spring.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Enjoy a roast dinner with the family.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Next weekend is Regional Flavours at South Bank. We enjoy showcasing our Olympus halloumi, fetta and ricotta. This is an opportunity to be the face of our products and also answer questions about the products and how to use them in different recipes.
What are you reading at the moment?
I don’t read books but I read The Courier-Mail every day.
What inspires you?
Travelling. I recently went to Sicily with Dominique Rizzo on a 14-day food, wine and cooking extravaganza.
What was your childhood dream?
I wanted to be a lawyer.
What has been your greatest achievement?
My wife and three beautiful girls, Alexis, Natasha and Demi, and Olympus Cheese.
What is success to you?
Being a good husband, father and being a provider to my family.
What are your words of wisdom?
Life was never meant to be fair.
Only a local would know that … Woolloongabba is a hub for antique shopping.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … champ kitchen & bar at South Bank for great coffee.
Relax … Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
Dine … French Martini at South Bank.
Indulge … At a good deli.
Shop … Carindale Shopping Centre.
Catch-up … The Cliffs Cafe at Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Be inspired … At the coast.
