As the only son of Greek immigrant parents, John learned the craft of baking while growing up in the family business. At the age of 24, upon the death of his father Steve, John became partners with his uncle, Harry Tsakalos. Together they would grow H&S Bakery from a major private label supplier to the supermarket industry to an internationally recognized restaurant and institutional baker.

In 1965, John acquired Athens Bakery, a local bun bakery and automated it using the latest technology. Based solely on a “hand-shake” agreement, he became one of the first dedicated bakers to McDonald’s and founded Northeast Foods, Inc. Within ten years he would open two more fully automated operations.

Today, John has ownership interests in over 22 bakeries and related companies employing more than 3500 employees. He has served on the Board of Directors for the American Bakers Association, Past Chairman of the International Baking Industry Exposition and is a fifty-year member of the American Society of Baking.

Click on the images below to view .pdf files of the inductee’s biography and plaque.