Today we’d like to introduce you to Eleni Saltas.
Hi Eleni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Salt Lake City’s Greek community, surrounded by food, family, and tradition. My love for Greek cuisine began in my teens, learning recipes from my aunt and yiayia (grandmother) and helping with family meals. While working full-time as a personal trainer, I started a blog in 2016 to share health tips, but everything changed when I posted a recipe for rizogalo — the response was huge, and I realized how deeply food connects us. That led to my first cookbook, All You Can Greek, followed by a Lenten e-cookbook, Feasting While Fasting. From those books, I was introduced to a producer for Recipe.TV, and through that connection, we filmed Eleni’s Greek Odyssey on location in Athens — a show that aired and celebrated Greek food and culture. I feel so lucky to be able to share these stories and traditions with others!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Putting together my first book as a self-published author was overwhelming — I was doing everything myself, from the writing to the photography and there were many moments I nearly gave up. It was the encouragement from my family that really kept me going. In the early days of blogging, I also had pretty thin skin. Negative comments online would get to me more than I’d like to admit, and I’ve gone through plenty of burnouts and creative ruts along the way. But I’ve learned to keep showing up, even when it’s hard, because I truly love the work I do and believe in the stories I get to share.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been a personal trainer for over 10 years, and I truly love that work — I’ve trained people from ages 14 to 97, and it’s always rewarding to help someone feel stronger and more confident. But at my core, I’m a storyteller. Food has always been my outlet for that — it’s how I connect with people. Becoming a food blogger was my way of turning that passion into something creative and lasting. Growing up in a Greek household, I was surrounded by dishes that carried meaning far beyond the ingredients — they were tied to memories, to faith, to family. That’s what I try to capture in my work. Whether it’s a Lenten recipe, a nostalgic holiday dish, or a blog post about my Yiayia, I want people to feel something — to connect. The cookbooks and the show have been such gifts, but what I’m most proud of are the messages I get from people saying, “I made this and it reminded me of home,” or “this dish brought back memories of my grandmother,” or “you inspired me to finally visit Greece.” That’s the heart of what I do. I’m not just sharing recipes — I’m preserving and passing down stories. And if that helps even one person feel more connected, then it’s all worth it.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was quiet and shy as a kid — definitely more of an observer than a talker. But I was super curious and always moving around, whether it was playing outside or a sport with my brothers, Greek dancing, or helping in the kitchen. I loved being around my grandparents, asking questions, and just being involved in whatever was going on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elenisaltas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleni_saltas/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EleniSaltas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClfl6fZYCdpKqySzAUCFFsw
- Other: https://elenisaltas.substack.com/
Image Credits
Steve Conlin
Sarah Arnoff
John Taylor
