Introduction to Hello Halloumi
A small bakery in the West Village is making rich, Halloumi cheese-filled pastries that are unlike any other. The brick-and-mortar launch of Hello Halloumi happened a few weeks ago and their savory pastries are bringing Cyprus’ diverse flavors alive in the Big Apple.
The Origin of Halloumi Cheese
Originating from the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, Cyprus is home to the production of halloumi cheese. Known for its unique savory, salty and slightly tangy flavor, the cheese has a growing market in the U.S. in recent years.
The Founder’s Story
Born and raised in Cyprus, Constantino Papadakis, the owner of Hello Halloumi, moved to New York for college and was in the hospitality industry, managing restaurants for quite a few years, before entering the finance sector. “When I left my job at a Private Equity firm, I wanted to pursue a passion project and introduce the versatility of halloumi cheese to New Yorkers. There were many customers who showed up at the opening of our bakery and said that they are happy to finally have a halloumi cheese bakery in New York”, said Papadakis.
What Makes Halloumi Stand Out
Besides its irreplaceable flavors, having a high melting point keeps the essence of the halloumi cheese intact when heated. Regardless of how it’s cooked, whether it is grilling, baking or frying, halloumi can withstand heat from changing its original flavors.
Menu and Future Plans
At the moment, Hello Halloumi makes bagel bites, sweet and savory pastries and eventually wants to expand their menu to include sandwiches and salads as well. Two of the delicacies that Hello Halloumi is still perfecting are the Greek salad and Halloumi burger. Since the bakery is meatless, they are considering introducing some meat alternatives as well.
Challenges and Tariffs
One thing, however, might stand in the way of those gooey goals: President Trump’s tariffs. In the face of challenges, the U.S. recently imposed a 10% tariff on Halloumi imports from Cyprus, accounting for 3% of the cheese’s total overseas export, valued at over $11 million annually. “It’s a challenging process to import halloumi cheese into the country, I think that is also one of the reasons why there isn’t a lot of halloumi in the U.S. One of my good friends who runs a small Greek restaurant in Long Island, wanted to expand his imports of Halloumi cheese and currently he is the one who supplies them to our bakery”, added Papadakis.
Pricing Strategy
Unlike other bakeries in New York, the pricing strategy adopted by Hello Halloumi is weight-based instead of having different prices for the pastries. “Having different prices would’ve been confusing and I actually used the price model we have back home in Cyprus, where you pay by the ounce. Some pastries are more expensive than the others but through this model, we are able to absorb those prices and hopefully maintain it as a successful business,” added Papadakis.
Conclusion
Hello Halloumi is a unique bakery in the West Village that brings the flavors of Cyprus to the Big Apple. With its rich, Halloumi cheese-filled pastries and weight-based pricing strategy, the bakery is sure to attract cheese lovers from all over the city. Despite the challenges posed by tariffs, Hello Halloumi is determined to make a name for itself in the competitive New York food scene.
FAQs
Q: What is Halloumi cheese?
A: Halloumi cheese is a type of cheese that originates from Cyprus, known for its unique savory, salty and slightly tangy flavor.
Q: Where is Hello Halloumi located?
A: Hello Halloumi is located in the West Village.
Q: What types of pastries does Hello Halloumi offer?
A: Hello Halloumi offers bagel bites, sweet and savory pastries, and is planning to expand its menu to include sandwiches and salads.
Q: How does Hello Halloumi price its pastries?
A: Hello Halloumi prices its pastries based on weight, rather than having different prices for each pastry.
Q: Are there any tariffs on Halloumi cheese imports?
A: Yes, the U.S. has imposed a 10% tariff on Halloumi imports from Cyprus, which may affect the price of Halloumi cheese in the U.S.
