Kalos, Miss Maro!

Whenever I have to interview someone, if I do not suggest meeting at Zara’s then chances are – they will.
Aside from the sinfully delicious food, there is something, or rather someone, who keeps me and most of Ballito coming back.
Maro Zaroudoukas, better known as “Miss Maro” and her vivacious personality are familiar fixtures of Zara’s at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre.
She is a flamboyant character, who promptly sat down and said “Jodi, tell me about yourself.”
After getting over my initial shock at my interview being turned on me, I relaxed. This is just what being around Maro does to you – you feel like you
have known her for most of your life.
“I have opened the doors of my shop at 6am every day for 17 years. I love people and my purpose is to make tummies happy. I am Greek! Mediterranean food is all about entertainment and enjoyment,” said the woman known for her ‘bling-bling’ and broad smile.
Maro was born on an island in Cyprus, Greece and moved to Johannesburg when she was 10.
When her husband Nick, who she calls her soul mate, passed away in 1998 she chose not to continue his laundromat business but open a coffee shop with just six tables.
“I called the place Zara’s because everybody called Nick ‘Zara’, a short form of our surname. He was just a wonderful man who was what I call a de-tribalised Greek – he wanted me to grow and taught me so much.”
Unlike most cooks Maro does not keep her recipes a secret.
Together with her Ecuadorian chef, Maro has a hand in creating most dishes on the Zara’s menu and believes “real food is made with real butter”.
“I am very active in my kitchen and everything about the food is personal. I try to talk to everyone here and I do not like seeing people sad, so I make food that makes you happy.”
Maro said there is no magic formula to a successful restaurant – her secret is quite simple.
“It is all about the people. You come here to eat but I must make sure you leave me with a smile and a happy tummy!”