Food for Thought

This month we have a story about Jane Orencas - Zervogianni, a very sweet English lady from Leicester who, quite spontaneously, made the decision to marry a handsome Greek gentleman and remain permanently in Aghios Nikolaos. At the same time, she developed her business acumen, and, together with her husband, opened a unique business for Crete – The British Food Shop. “I was born and grew up in a large family in Leicester, a small city east of Birmingham, and studied economics at the University of Manchester,” she told this column.

However, Jane, always a restless spirit, also worked as a nurse in a clinic, which prompted her to study nursing for three additional years after completing her studies in economics.

Then love struck!

“In 1992 I came on vacation with a friend to Aghios Nikolaos and I met my future husband, Manolis,” she recalled with a smile. “We met in a bar and for the next three years Manolis would come to England or I would come down to Aghios Nikolaos.”

Then in 1995 our “woman in charge” decided to settle in Crete permanently, to make a family and work in her husband's kava.

“Until a year ago I worked in the kava,” she said. “Then, on the advice of an English friend, I urged my husband to open up a shop with English products at wholesale prices to serve the English community of south-eastern Crete, and the local Greeks as well."

They found a large warehouse with adequate parking just outside the city of Aghios Nikolaos, on the road to Kritsa, where as partners they opened The British Food Shop and stocked it with a wide variety of foods imported from Great Britain.

“Our shop is in a central point, with lots of parking but, most importantly, our prices are very competitive,” the savvy business woman told us.  “About the only problem we face is the high cost of transporting the products from England and unfavourable weather at certain times creates delays. But it’s very satisfying that so many of my native countrymen compliment us on the products we bring into Crete.”  

Although the shop keeps her very busy, Jane also takes time to be a mother. She and Manolis have three children, Sofia, 12, Despina, 10, and Vangelis, 4.

“Fortunately, I have the help of my mother-in-law as well as my mother, who moved here with my father three years ago,” she explained.

Obviously, Jane's free time is limited, but when she is able to squeeze some in, she likes to read, take walks and have coffee with friends.

Jane looks to the future with optimism. “I believe this business of importing British food products will continue to grow, as we’re always looking, and finding, additional items that are not available anyplace else in Crete,” she said. “As far as my personal life goes, I want to see my children taking a positive journey through life, one that is fulfilling, as well as happy.”