Meet George Giannou, a master pastry chef, who was born in Naoussa, a town in Imathias, in northern Greece, renowned for its luscious fruits and delicious cakes & pastries.

His favourite childhood dessert was the yoyo, and his favourite fruit was, and remains to be, the juicy peach, a popular fruit produced in the region.

George migrated to Australia when he was just 13 years old and joined the Vanilla family in 2009 when he married one of the Spanos girls, Haroula, and honed his skills through formal training at William Angliss. We recall a conversation in the early years of Vanilla between the late Thanasi Spanos and George when George was asked which team he wanted to be a part of in the business. The bar? The front of house crew? The kitchen? George chose the Vanilla Bakehouse team. Now, with George at the helm of a fantastic and creative artisan workshop, Vanilla celebrates being one of the largest Greek pastry destinations in the southern hemisphere, and we take pride in offering an extensive array of cakes, biscuits, and pastries that showcase the best of our Continental culinary history.

Beyond his culinary mastery, George is a dedicated father & mentor. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, dining out, and traveling to destinations that continue to inspire him and his indulgent artistry.

Vanilla Lounge is a family business located in Oakleigh. Spread over many shop fronts and two floors on the iconic corner of Eaton Mall and Chester Street, the business is host to thousands of local and international visitors a year, whether they frequent the store for coffee, desserts, dining, or a special event upstairs in our bespoke venue.

For over 50 years, the Spanos family has been in the hospitality industry. Our dining and dessert menus are created and made on-site with the best ingredients, without preservatives or additives.

Whether you choose to dine in or take away, Vanilla Lounge is a destination, and the go-to place in Oakleigh. Vanilla has something for everyone. It is a family place, a meeting place, and a place where you can come, be greeted by friendly smiles and experience a unique European vibe right here in Melbourne.

#ekmek #vanillaoakleigh #dessertsofmelbourne #vanilla #joinus #oakleigh

Find out more at Vanilla Facebook Page and Vanilla Instagram Page