Development Bank backs former MasterChef contestant

Award-winning Greek chef Christos Georgakis has opened a new deli, cafe and bakery in Southgate on the Gower Peninsula with the help of a £50,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales. 

As a semi-finalist in both BBC's Masterchef and the Welsh Chef of the Year competitions, Christos began working as a private chef in 2017 having previously been Head Chef at various local restaurants and hotels. Offering dinner parties, pop-up supper clubs and traditional Greek street food, he has now also fulfilled a life-long dream of opening a deli, café and bakery. 

The fit-out of ‘The Gower Deli’ has been part-funded by the Development Bank along with the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment. A range of locally sourced products including high-quality cured meats, artisan cheese, speciality breads, olives and a selection of wines, speciality beers and artisan coffee are already proving popular with locals and tourists alike as are weekly pop-up Greek street food evenings on a Thursday and the Welsh breakfast with a twist. Wine tasting is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings offering wine and beer flights along with cheese and cured meats. 

Christos said: “I love food and I love this beautiful corner of Wales so the opportunity to open my own deli, café and bakery in Southgate is a dream come true. However, starting a hospitality business from scratch can be expensive so we needed funding to make it happen. The support from the Development Bank has made all the difference as I couldn’t have done it without them.” 

Emily Hunter is an Investment Executive with the Development Bank. She said: “Christos is a renowned chef with an abundance of passion and drive.  A true master of his craft, he thrives under pressure and delivers some really great food while also having strong entrepreneurial skills.   We’re delighted to be supporting him as he grows his business in Southgate.”

The loan for Gower Deli came from the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund. Financed by Welsh Government, the Fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available for Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years.