The seven part series will be aired earlier than expected, as a tribute to the 29 year old actor, who passed away on Sunday April 17 2011 from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
"He was the most positive person I had ever met, and it was a joy and a privilege to have been his mother. It still hasn't really sunk in", says Lyndey.
“Lyndey & Blair's Taste of Greece”, showcases the cuisine, culture and beautifully undiscovered Peloponnese area. Seeking culinary delights, adventure and antiquities, Lyndey and her son Blair an actor/voice-over artist, cook, eat, drink and engage with the locals - a charming yet eclectic mix of home cooks, winemakers, producers, chefs and restaurateurs and explore ancient sites.
"This is a road show like no other," says Lyndey, "not quite your average family holiday as we are both food-seeking missiles.
“Like all Greek food, Peloponnese cuisine begins with extra virgin olive oil. This is used for cooking, deep frying and dressing finished dishes and it is delicious! Next come lemons, the perfect seasoning and I have a soft spot for rigani (dried Greek oregano). All produce is local and usually fresh.
“Of course there are all the Greek classics like tzatziki, eggplant salad and Greek salad but there is much more than this. Saganaki (fried cheese), calamari and octopus and fantastic lamb. They cut their chops very long, including some of the belly and cooked over charcoal (yes, inside all restaurants!) it gives a fantastic flavour.
“Then there is souvlaki and good pork, especially whole roast pig in regions like Messinia and Kalamata, which of course, brings us to the fabulous olives.
“On Kythera there is the world’s best honey which is used in baking and all manner of biscuits and sweets. In both restaurants and private homes, family recipes are handed down through many generations.”
Who will we meet in the series? There is the amazing Fani, the matriarch from O Pseiras Taverna in Nafplio who let Lyndey and Blair cook with her at a moment’s notice and taught Lyndey the very best meat stuffed dolmades.
Then there’s Kate and Lucky, who live on Kythira, though they had a cafe in Glen Innes until 27 years ago. Lucky was the Governor of Kythira for some time, makes his own wine and Kate taught Lyndey how to make lovely Rozedes biscuits.
And it seems that even for a food professional like Lyndey, there’s always something new to learn. This time it was rolling filo.
“The ladies in Stoupa taught me to blow underneath the pastry – if it lifts up it is thin enough,” says Lyndey. “Then again rolling dolmades with Fani was fantastic.”
Lyndey says Peloponnese is accessible from Athens and on the beaten track, but still relatively unspoilt.
“Most people think Peloponnese is an island. In fact it is part of the mainland, but the Corinth Canal divides it and this is where Blair bungee jumped! Very scary for his Mum,” says Lyndey.
More information on the series here