Meet me at the Paragon

Moussaka. Souvlaki. Paniyiri. Baklava. 

Today, Queenslanders love Greek food and culture. However, Meet me at the Paragon explores an untold past. In fact, the American-style cafés and milk bars your parents probably frequented as a child — the ones that served banana splits, fish ‘n’ chips, ice cream sundaes and homemade sweets - were likely owned by Greek migrants.

Imagine the tastes, experience the atmosphere and retrace the history of Queensland’s Greek cafes by learning the past and present true stories of the families that ran them in this fascinating exhibition.

The exhibition experience

• Step back in time as you slide into a replica café booth to browse the ‘menus’ of Greek cafés throughout Queensland and appreciate the architectural installation reminiscent of Kingaroy’s Busy Bee Café
• Hear the ‘daily opera’ of coffee machines, the clatter of cutlery and the general café hubbub in a special soundscape
• View photographic portraits of Greek café descendants and connect with their stories
• See original items from cafés across Queensland including original café signs, anodised milkshake cups, monogrammed plates, menus and other memorabilia
• Reflect on the stories of Greek migrants and how their cafés changed Australian dining and cuisine forever

Women in Greek Cafes 

Although most proprietors of Greek cafes in Queensland were men, it was clearly a family affair. Wives, children and extended families all participated in the businesses.  In recognition of International Women's Day 2020, Dr Toni Risson, co-curator of Meet Me At the Paragon exhibition invited Beulah Castan, Helen Kentos and Julie Nichols to share some of their experiences about life in a Greek cafe. This event was recorded live at State Library on Tuesday 10 March.