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a n i r a t a K & y r Ter s i t a i n Ma A CHAT WITH
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Terry's Cut Steakhouse By Martine Mackenzie
Who doesn’t love a really great steak, hand-cut to your specifications, and wood-charcoal grilled? Look no further than “Terry’s Cut Steakhouse”, the brainchild of Terry Maniatis and his wife and business partner, Katarina, formerly from the famous Garrison’s Subs. After almost 3 decades of creating gyros and steak sub masterpieces, they have branched out and brought to us Niagara’s newest and trendiest restaurant at 300 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines. Tell me a bit about your background and why you became a chef? Terry: Well, I come from a Greek background, and we love food. I just really enjoy being in the kitchen. I don’t have any formal training. I’ve just always been around food. What is your favorite thing about being a chef? Terry: Creating! I love the BBQ! I want to feed people. I want to see and feel the love. Katarina: He loves people’s reactions to his food. If you could give people 3 cooking tips for making a great steak, what would they be? Terry: You have to have a good fire. You need a good base – a good piece of meat. Keep it simple. No crazy spices. Just salt and pepper.
Do you have a favorite ingredient to work with? We’re Greek so it’s all about the garlic, oregano and thyme. I like working with lemon too. In Greece, they grow spices and just go pick them fresh in their backyards. What would you say is one of the most challenging ingredients to work with? Terry: Flour! I don’t bake! I can’t work with dough! (pointing to Katarina) She does. Katarina: He doesn’t like baking at all. He doesn’t even like desserts! When it’s your day off, and you go out to eat, where do you like to go? Terry: Steak! I go looking for a steakhouse. How do you like your steak and what’s your favorite cut? Terry: It’s gotta be medium-rare. And I like a big cut. Ribeye is my favorite but I also really like NY strip. What city in the world would you say has the best food? Terry: New York City! That’s where you find the best meats!
