Holding a small crucifix in one hand and clutching a clump of basil dipped in holy water in the other, George Kaloudis walked Thursday alongside an array of ovens in a Chicago Heights pita bakery.
The blessing of the hulking machine with holy water by Kaloudis, presiding priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, was part of a formal unveiling of a major expansion at Pita Pan Old World Bakery.
Once the new production line begins operation in a couple of weeks, the company, which has been in Chicago Heights for seven years, will be able to turn out about 3 million pieces of pita bread a day, according to Andre Papantoniou, co-owner of Pita Pan with his brother, Kostas.
Calling the new facility the “bakery of our dreams,” Andre Papantoniou said it’s a crucial piece of fulfilling the company’s goal of being “recognized as a leader in flat bread” and related baked goods.
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