This comes after research, commissioned by the restaurant, revealed a significant gap in British understanding of Greek contributions to modern culture. The study found that while 74 per cent of Londoners acknowledge Greece's influence, many still associate the Mediterranean country solely with ancient Greek gods and myths. A surprising 74 per cent were unaware of the Greek alphabet's impact on Western writing, and more than half didn't know that the Olympics and amphitheatres originated in Greece.
And many might not have known until now that a souvlaki is a bit like a kebab, consisting of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer and eaten off the skewer or inside a pita. The quiz can be found on The Real Greek’s website , with the free souvlakis available to be claimed at local branches, including Soho, St Paul’s, and Westfield. The Real Greek is aiming to bridge this knowledge gap by launching a quiz on Greek culture, history, and contributions.
Participants who complete the quiz will be rewarded with one of the 10,000 free souvlakis. Laura Mimoun, chief marketing officer at The Real Greek, said: "Greece is often reduced to myths and ruins but its influence reaches far beyond that. "We wanted to encourage Brits to explore the rich and ongoing contributions Greece has made to everything from science and sports to the arts and cuisine.
"This quiz is a fun, interactive way to learn more while enjoying a taste of Greece with a delicious free souvlaki." The survey, which involved more than 2,000 UK adults, revealed that more than half of Londoners were unaware of the Greek origin of the Olympics, while 68 per cent didn’t realise amphitheatres came from Greece. Additionally, 53 per cent didn’t know that Greek philosophy laid the foundation for modern thinking.
Despite this, Greek cuisine is a favourite among Londoners, second only to Italian. Half of Londoners enjoy Greek food at least once a month, with Greek salad, olives, and feta cheese being the most popular. However, more traditional dishes like taramasalata, dolmades, and spanakopita are less familiar.
The study also found that nearly half of Londoners have never visited Greece, but 84 per cent expressed interest in going, with ancient history, islands, and Greek cuisine being the top reasons for wanting to visit..
Food
You can claim one of 10,000 free souvlakis — by taking quiz about Greek culture
The Real Greek is giving away 10,000 free souvlakis to people who can prove their knowledge of the country and its culture.