‘Reading this book is like stepping into a different world – a comforting, soothing, delicious world saturated in colour and culture.’ – OLIA HERCULES, chef and author

‘A beautiful collection of the earthy, soulful food of northern Greece that makes me immediately want to cook up a feast.’ – EMIKO DAVIES, author and food journalist
Following the success of her acclaimed Ikaria, Meni Valle now invites readers to explore the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Thessaloniki and the Northern Greek region. This vibrant cookbook celebrates both traditional and modern dishes, shedding light on a region renowned for its unique food culture.

Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city and a UNESCO-recognised epicentre of traditional culinary practices, is the heart of this culinary exploration. The city’s abundant natural resources, from fertile plains to mountainous enclaves, contribute to a diverse array of ingredients, including the renowned Greek elephant beans and stone fruits. Meni’s work not only uncovers these regional specialties but also weaves in the rich historical tapestry shaped by Sephardic Jews, Ottoman influences, and returning Greek émigrés, offering a new perspective on Northern Greek cuisine.
With over 70 carefully curated recipes, Thessaloniki brings to life the complex flavours and traditions of the region’s food. Meni’s research and collaborations with local experts reveal the untold stories behind each dish, presenting an authentic taste of Northern Greece’s culinary legacy. Complemented by Stephanie Stamatis’s evocative photography, the book captures the essence of the region’s modest, homey kitchens and the slow food philosophy that defines its cuisine. Through these recipes and the vivid imagery, readers are invited to savour the unrecognised gems of Greek gastronomy and reconnect with the time-honoured traditions that make Thessaloniki’s food truly exceptional.

Meni Valle is an Australian–Greek food writer and cookbook author. Her rich Greek heritage, coupled with her love for travel and food, has seen Meni become one of Australia’s most-respected authorities on Mediterranean cuisine. When she is not writing cookbooks, Meni shares her knowledge and passion for Greek food through cooking classes and culinary tours to Greece, where she loves connecting with locals and discovering new recipes. She also regularly presents at festivals and conferences and contributes to publications such a Vogue, Marie Claire, The Weekend Australian, The Telegraph UK, ABC National Radio and SBS Greek.

Meni has written five cookbooks, My Greek Kitchen (2011), My Mediterranean Kitchen (2012), ‘Everyday Mediterranean’ (2015), ‘Mediterranean Lifestyle Cooking’ (2019) and winner of the Eugenie Brazier Prize Award ‘Ikaria’ (2020). Her latest cookbook The Mediterranean Cook was published by Smith Street Books in February 2024.