Local Chef Series: Owner/Chef Dimitri Kallianis of Lonely Olive Tree Organics, The Shanty, & Wadsworth Inn

We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Dimitri Kallianis, founder of Lonely Olive Tree Organics, a family-owned company dedicated to importing and distributing premium, early-harvest mountain grown organic extra virgin olive oil direct from his family’s olive groves in Sparta, Greece to home and professional chefs across America for an exclusive guest chef experience at The Joyful Gourmet!

Known for his inventive unique cuisine, warm hospitality, and passion for bringing people together through food – Dimitri, his family, and 300+ team members have spent the past two decades transforming the corner of Wadsworth Road and US Route 41 into a culinary destination with four establishments in Wadsworth, Illinois. The Shanty, Wadsworth Inn, Captain Porky’s, and The Duck Inn located between Chicago and Milwaukee have helped put the small country town of Wadsworth, Illinois on the map with their local, regional, and national exposure on Food Network, Travel Channel, NBC, CBS, and ABC. A self-taught chef / restauranteur / olive oil producer with a college art background blends creativity, technique, family roots, and a deep appreciation for quality ingredients into his cuisine style.

Join us for a hands-on culinary evening as Chef Dimitri shares the stories, flavors, and inspiration behind his cooking while guiding you through a specially curated Mediterranean summer menu featuring Lonely Olive Tree Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Whether you’re an enthusiastic home cook or simply love exceptional food, this is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the region’s most celebrated restauranteurs in an intimate and interactive setting here in downtown Libertyville, Illinois

Menu: 

Olive Oil Tasting / Education : A Celebration of Artisan Greek Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive & Antipasti Board A beautiful assortment of premium marinated Greek olives from Kallianis Groves in Sparta Greece, whipped herb goat cheese from father Dino Kallianis’ private family farm in Bristol Wisconsin, The Shanty’s in-house baked wild-yeast organic artisan sourdough bread crafted by Maureen Long, fig preserves, roasted red bell peppers, citrus arugula with mountain grown wild Greek oregano, and this season’s Lonely Olive Tree organic extra virgin olive oil. 

Demonstration & Guest Cooking Chef’s Table Event: Each guest will be instructed and prepare their own dinner entree to enjoy with a glass of Ancient Greek assyrtiko white grape wine from the Greek island of Crete. Guests will be preparing a gluten-free rustic pan-seared salmon and jumbo shrimp entree featuring charred fresh summer local tomatoes, barrel aged burrata, fresh herbs, organic extra virgin olive oil, and aged balsamic reduction.

Seats will be limited, so be sure to reserve yours early!