When you walk into Hathaway’s Restaurant in Cinnaminson, NJ, just a stone’s throw from downtown Philadelphia, what will most likely strike you is the sense of family, community, and tradition; the hallmarks of the Mediterranean way of life. At the center of it all is co-owner and Executive Chef George Kyrtatas.

At the startling age of 27, America’s Little Greek Chef has accomplished a surprising amount in such a short time. George began his training from the young age of eight while growing up in the family restaurant.  After high school, George attended the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, NJ where he graduated with the school’s highest honor, a gold medal.

At the age of twenty, George became certified through the American Culinary Federation as a Certified Chef de Cuisine, perhaps the youngest ever. George has worked with a number of the great chefs of today:  Martin Yan, Mario Batalli, Curtis Atkins, Georges Perrier, Emeril Lagasse, and the Two Hot Tamales to name a few.  Shortly after his certification George was named Executive Chef of Hathaway’s.  In 2005, he penned his first cookbook, My Big Fat Greek Feast which has sold thousands of copies.  George has also been featured in national culinary magazines such as Chef and Fancy Food. George has been a guest of national and international television programs such as Flavors of America, 10!, and Horizons, to name a few. George has since contributed to increasing Hathaway’s already great reputation as a the best family restaurant/diner by having it named as Burlington County’s best Diner, Breakfast, and Burger, and South Jersey’s Best for Greek Specialties.

Although George may love all food, when it comes to Mediterranean Food it is a downright passion! “I’m Greek” says Kyrtatas, “so Mediterranean Food is second nature to me, I was raised with it, it’s in my blood. It is the food I love to cook. It’s the food I feed my family, friends, and colleagues. It is the food that I am proud of. But I don’t believe that you have to be from the Mediterranean in order to love the food or to make it great.”

For more information on Chef Kyrtatas, visit www.littlegreekchef.com.