Quickly becoming everyone’s favorite reason to shop downtown, Milly always shows amazing enthusiasm and passion for Phoenicia, and possesses unrivaled product knowledge. She can often be found hunting down a certain spice or searching the shelves for a special food that the customer can only describe by appearance or aroma. She is truly a phenomenal Phoenicia Phoodie!
As she remembers fondly, Milly started eight years ago after first asking her brother, who was already a Phoenicia employee, if she could be hired. When he failed to get her an interview, she boldly walked right up to the owner and told him, “You need to hire me!” And we are forever grateful he did.
Milly was born in Higuey, Dominican Republic, a city known for its tourism and beauty. Growing up in Higuey gave her a passion for history and culture–both representing what she loves most about Phoenicia. Milly delights in the history behind the foods we sell and even though she is a self-proclaimed non-cook, she admires how dishes are made and what they represent to the cultures that enjoy them.
Heath, a resident of One Park Place, loves Milly’s energy and passion for the job. He recently stated, “Milly is the main reason I shop here. She has an amazing, positive energy and is one of the best things about Phoenicia.”
When she isn’t bustling through the store, Milly likes to relax by reading books, riding her bike, attending shows at Miller Outdoor Theater or zipping around on her cute scooter.
Milly was recently voted the “Yummiest All-Around Employee” by her coworkers and we wholeheartedly agree. Be sure to stop by Phoenicia Downtown and see all the products that make Milly’s heart sing!
It’s a charming coincidence that Peter is our “Big Cheese.” With much of his passion for food coming from his Armenian grandmother and her heavenly homemade Armenian string cheese, Peter hails from generations of foodies. His mother was a dietician at Macy’s and he beams as he discusses the dried beef and basturmas she created. Just a sniff of his favorite spice, coriander, reminds him of the dedication to food and the food lovers he has at Phoenicia. While he oversees accounting, billing and business negotiations, his romance with food can be seen in every aisle.
As Peter recalls his childhood days, he thinks of times when his mother would force him to play the piano. He absolutely hated it! His father, a physician, would often come out of his office to motivate young Peter to play. Although his relationship with the piano had a shaky start, Peter has since become an amazing musician. Often found playing the keyboard and piano with his band all over Houston, Peter frequently plays at his alma mater, the University of Houston, where he was a pre-med major.
Peter has been a member of the Phoenicia family for more than 30 years and is well-versed in every aspect of the store from finances to products. His passion for food is contagious and he can often be spotted with his sleeves rolled up in Phoenicia kitchens inspiring our YUMMY! Crew.
One day, Phoenicia’s Fun Committee might decide to put a piano in the middle of the grocery store so Peter can orchestrate the pita bread marching down from the ovens. But until then, know that Phoenicia values Peter for adding strength and passion with his big spirit, overflowing wisdom and eagerness to explore!
Nineteen years ago in a small Parisian bakery, our Executive Baker’s sweet inspiration was born. Fabrice Maraine was just 12 years old when he began working in a small corner bakery, helping and learning amazing techniques that appealed to his artistic eye, creative design and boundless energy level. He loves all the moving parts in a bakery and while he doesn’t paint or draw, baking lends Fabrice the important ability to create beauty. Also using carpentry as an outlet for his artistic talents, Fabrice has built amazing tables and chairs for his home.
Five years ago, Fabrice and his wife moved to Texas, where they are raising a beautiful little girl, Lucie, who loves to cook with dad. Lucie tries to convince Fabrice daily that it is her birthday so he will bake a cake for her! When her parents try to let her down gently by telling her it is not her birthday, she steadfastly insists, “Daddy I THINK it’s my birthday!”
Fabrice loves living in Houston, a big city with a small town feel, and especially likes that Houstonians are so friendly and helpful. When asked what he likes best about Phoenicia, there was no hesitation. The music. He loves the eclectic mix of music and we believe to some extent it inspires him.
Come be inspired by Fabrice’s magical creations at Phoenicia Downtown, his favorite corner of the world.
When our Wholesale Operations Manager arrived in the U.S. 12 years ago from Turkey, she was discouraged by the not-so-fresh food selection she found in her new country. Upon eating some heavenly cucumbers at a friend’s house, she asked where they had been purchased. The friend promptly transported her to Phoenicia and at once, Esin was no longer in a pickle over food!
She became a regular customer, enjoying familiar foods as tasty as those back home. Like other staff members, her Phoenicia shopping “addiction” evolved into employment. And now, ten years later, Esin oversees the daily transactions of Phoenicia’s wholesale accounts, assists customers ranging from small and large grocery stores to restaurants by filling orders and managing the shipping and receiving of goods, and grades and selects international products. She’s looking forward to another ten years.
“I feel like a member of the family,” she says. There’s a mutual respect; everyone is very appreciative of one another. I like the rush that comes from being here, working with friendly faces. I really look forward to coming to work every day.”
Phoenicia’s 1,000+ wholesale customers benefit from Esin’s motivation, dedication and firsthand knowledge. She has personally tried nearly 70% of the store’s products, saying she tries to avoid saying “I don’t know.”
“I want to help,” she says. “What better way to do that than to offer my personal recommendations?”
And what does Esin specifically suggest? She states everything at Phoenicia is YUMMY!, but praises anything from the bakery. By opening the store every day, she enjoys freshly-made goodies right out of the oven. Try the simit–a delicious, round, crusty sesame bread. It’s what’s for breakfast.
In her spare time, Esin enjoys cooking, travel and outdoor sports.
Show Mom just how much you love her by treating her to MKT
Jazz Brunch on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, no reservations required. This could be her chance to win tickets to see Andrea Bocelli, world-renowned Italian tenor, at his upcoming Houston performance at the Toyota Center on November 28!
From 11AM-3PM, Mom can enjoy live jazz music, a fresh bloom, pomegranate mimosas and a special spread that’s sure to please:
Spring Vegetable Frittata
Quiche with Shaved Prosciutto and Swiss
Buttermilk Belgian Waffles with Fresh Fruit
Oven Poached Egg on Pita Tik with Ham and Hollandaise Sauce
Warm Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding
Remember, complimentary parking is available in the One Park Place garage on a first-come, first-served basis. Enter garage on McKinney.
On Thursday, November 10, downtown business leaders joined the Tcholoakian family in making the launch of the new Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown (1001 Austin Street, Houston 77010). Phoenicia has expanded, now offering foodies two locations-the original in West Houston and the Downtown venue.
Located on the ground level of One Park Place luxury high-rise across from Discovery Green, the new Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown is a 28,000 square foot, state-of-the-art market. In addition, the downtown location features an in-house wine and beer bar called MKT Bar.
YUMMY! Photo (from left to right):
Ann-Marie Tcholakian, co-owner of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Raffi Tcholakian, co-owner of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Arpi Tcholakian, co-founder of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Zohrab “Bob” Tcholakian, co-founder of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Marvy Finger, President and CEO of the Finger Companies, Councilman James Rodriguez (and his son, Jake), Bob Eury, Executive Director of The Houston Downtown Management District, and Haig Tcholakian, co-owner of Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Construction of Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown has been progressing fabulously and our newest YUMMY location is scheduled to open in late October 2011. We’re putting the finishing touches on the interior construction now, and throughout September, we’ll be fine-tuning the market and stocking the shelves with Phoenicia’s quality international products.
Located across from Discovery Green in the One Park Place luxury high-rise (1001 Austin Street), Phoenicia will satisfy our downtown neighbors with 26,000 square feet of foodie delights. In addition to offering more than 10,000+ products from more than 50 countries, we will offer delicious prepared meals, a sandwich station, salad bar and a bakery with desserts and breads prepared daily by European and Mediterranean chefs. The newest Phoenicia will also feature the MKT BAR, an in-house coffee, wine and beer bar that will surely be a downtown gathering spot.
Phoenicia Downtown is a unique destination for downtown Houstonians, foodies and visitors alike. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home.
After 17 years as an acclaimed chef in Portland, Oregon, Matt is returning to his Houston roots, where his culinary career began at age 10. While his mother worked an evening job, Matt wrote extensive menus, set elaborate tables, took orders and whipped up the meanest grilled cheese sandwiches for his two older sisters. Never mind that grilled cheese was the only item he could cook; it served as a springboard for a future career and rapidly rising star.
From his humble beginnings of grilled cheese, we’ve snatched up Matt to be our Big Cheese. You’ll find him throughout the store trying new items, perfecting and photographing recipes, straightening up shelves and working on a new, soon-to-be-released menu. His Phoenicia faves include The Butcher pizza, ceviche, beef shawarma and “anything Lito makes”. During his off-Phoodie hours, Matt likes to train labrador retrievers, raise chickens, keep bees, hunt, fish and fix “normal” food for his family at home. Since son Connor’s favorite dishes include the likes of chicken-fried pheasant and truffle butter pasta, we’d like to savor Matt’s version of “normal” food, too!
YUMMY! Holiday Decorating Class Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Food Classes Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Summer Cooking Classes Reservation Form
