Some ideas are born out of necessity, others out of inspiration. My Greek Aromatic Spice Paste came from both. When I was working on a recipe kit for Cookaway, I wanted to include a Corfiot classic — Pastitsada, the rich and fragrant dish of cockerel and hilopites (pasta). Traditionally it requires a long list of spices, olive oil, tomato paste, vinegar, and more. Instead of sending sachets of dried spices alongside the other ingredients, I thought: why not create a single paste that holds all those aromas in one jar? That’s where it began.
At the heart of Pastitsada is a spice blend known locally as spetsieriko (from the Italian spezie, meaning spices). It reflects Corfu’s Venetian past and the island’s role in the spice trade. Each family guarded its own version, but the mix often included cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and black pepper — sometimes with bay leaf or cumin. In the old days, cooks would buy it ready-made from the spetsiéris (the spice merchant), needing only a spoonful to infuse a whole dish. My paste, though born for convenience, continues that same tradition: bringing many layers of spice together in one ready-to-use base.
Turning the idea into reality became a collaboration. I brought my recipe, and Alice with the Northumbrian Pantry team brought their artisanal craft. Together we created a truly exquisite blend of concentrated Greek tomato paste, Cretan olive oil, and 12 carefully balanced spices. The result is a paste that is rich, aromatic, and versatile.
It is handmade in small batches, ensuring quality in every jar. A little goes a long way: stir it into sauces or casseroles, rub onto meat or fish as a marinade, or fold through roasted vegetables. With each spoonful you capture the essence of Mediterranean cooking — deep, complex flavour without complication.
The paste quickly became a favourite with Cookaway devotees, who embraced its ability to bring authentic Greek flavour into their kitchens. It has since been awarded a Great Taste Award star, a recognition of its balance and depth, and is now sold directly from Northumbrian Pantry as well as through a growing network of over 80 stockists across the UK.
There are recipes on my website that use this paste in many different ways — simply type spice paste into the search bar and you’ll find them. Each dish shows how this creation can take you from the mountains of Corfu to the warmth of a family kitchen in Crete.
This paste is more than a condiment. It’s the story of a MasterChef recipe, a centuries-old spice tradition, and an artisan collaboration that brought together passion, heritage, and practicality — bottled for you to enjoy.
You can buy Irini’s Spice Paste from the Northumbrian Pantry and you can enjoy the Chicken Pastitsada from the Cookaway