A former MasterChef and Welsh Chef of the Year competition contestant has realised his dream by opening a new deli and bakery in Gower filled with local produce such as vegetables, biscuits, and coffee. Christos Georgakis, a well-known chef in Swansea, spent 28 years in the city before establishing Deli and Bakery in Southgate on the Gower Peninsula. Having made a name for himself on BBC’s MasterChef and the Welsh Chef of the Year competition, where he reached the semi-finals, Christos transitioned to working as a private chef in 2017 after serving as head chef in various local restaurants. His culinary journey included offering dinner parties, pop-up supper clubs, and traditional Greek street food, leading him to fulfil his lifelong ambition of opening a deli, café, and bakery. The deli in Gower offers a variety of locally sourced items, including cured meats, artisan cheese, speciality breads, olives, wines, beers, and artisan coffee. The weekly pop-up Greek street food evenings and Welsh breakfast with a twist have already gained popularity among locals and tourists in the area. Additionally, the Deli provides wine tasting sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, offering wine and beer flights alongside cheese and cured meats. However, Christos acknowledges the challenges of starting a new business and expresses gratitude for the support he received. With a £50,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, made possible through the Wales Flexible Investment Fund, Christos was able to realise his dream of opening the deli. Emily Hunter, an Investment Executive with the Development Bank, praised Christos for his passion, drive, culinary skills, and entrepreneurial spirit, expressing delight in supporting his business growth in Southgate. Through determination and financial assistance, Christos has successfully established a thriving deli and bakery in Gower, bringing his culinary expertise to the local community and visitors to the area.