WILKES-BARRE -- The Greek food festival started Wednesday in Wilkes-Barre at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Ross Street.
There's nothing like the sizzle of souvlaki to start a Wednesday morning.
Or how about a display of baklava? Toss together some gyros and you've got yourself the Greek Food Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre.
"What else did I order? Oh, my God, three gyros, and I ordered two of every one of the pastries. I did, really!" said Tom Alexander of Wilkes-Barre.
About 50 to 60 volunteers organize two Greek food fests a year at the church. The money raised pays for half of the church's annual operating costs, but it doesn't come easy.
Putting a gyro together is harder than it looks, and it turns out the folks here have actually been cooking for this festival for three months already.
"We typically will make 30 or 40 trays of pastitsio, which is like a Greek lasagna, and we'll roll about 4,000 to 5,000 grape leaves," said church council president Tom Iliadis.
All that is frozen months before the festival and then heated up the day it starts. The rest of the food is made fresh.
And though it may seem empty in the church, they're as busy as ever with take-out and delivery
Tom Alexander picked up his order bright and early.
"They order online. I have friends of mine that'll be coming in this afternoon to pick orders up. You come in here, you get it ready, bingo, one, two, three, and it's ready for you."
The Greek Food Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox runs 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. now through Saturday.
To place an order for pick up or delivery, call the church or click here.