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EDITION | LIFESTYLE
TONIA BUXTON
Tonia Buxton is a Greek Cypriot television presenter and author. She is the host of the
Discovery Channel Travel & Living show My Greek Kitchen, which as of 2012 is shown in
the UK on TLC. We caught up with her to discuss business and cooking, of course.
Tell us about a life transforming event
that led to where you are now.
This is such a challenging question! I don’t
have a life transforming ‘event’ more a life
transforming ‘change of mind set’. I just
really started to believe in myself and what I
had; the power to achieve.
What or who has been your greatest
influence in business and why?
Actually I have two; my parents have been
a huge influence on me as they have an
amazing work ethic. They came to the
UK from Cyprus with literally nothing and
worked very hard. They made an amazing
life for them, my siblings and me.
The other huge, constant influence is my
husband Paul. He has always said that if
you really want something, no matter how
untenable it seems, as long as you work
hard you will get it. He was the one who
gave me the confidence and support to go
from a primary school teacher in Tottenham
to a global TV show.
What would you say is your greatest
professional accomplishment to date?
I am very proud of the book I published
with Hestia press, ‘Tonia’s Greek Kitchen’.
I put together a great team and I think we
produced a beautiful book.
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Tonia Buxton pp38-39.indd All Pages
“I WAS FILMING, BREASTFEEDING AND SUFFERING
FROM A HORMONAL
WHIRLWIND, BUT I REALLY
WANTED THE SHOW, SO I
GOT ON WITH IT AND DID IT.”
I also have to add that I still can’t believe
I started filming My Greek Kitchen, series
one, when my son Zephyros was just ten
weeks old! We had a low budget so we had
to do a lot in a short period of time. I was
filming, breast-feeding and suffering from a
hormonal whirlwind, but I really wanted the
show, so I got on with it and did it.
How do you define success?
By happiness because if you are not happy
with what you do, no matter how much
money you have made, you have failed.
What’s the best advice you have
received in business that you wish to
pass on to our readers?
Just keep going! If it’s important to you and
you believe in your project, then it is worth
persevering; I’m still taking that advice
now! I get so frustrated with television
commissioners & their constant obsession
with trash, cheap reality TV, but I keep
plugging on because I believe that all TV
should be an entertaining education. It
should leave your either thinking about it or
having learnt something from it.
What business goal do you plan to
accomplish over the next year?
I would like to have a television series on
British terrestrial TV.
Share your secret weapon – what helps
you run your business/life efficiently?
My secret is to surround myself with
positive good people; I’m still working on
being a little more efficient!
“My secret is to
surround myself
with positive good
people; I’m still
working on being a
little more efficient!”
What three things do you enjoy doing
outside of work?
Spending time with my husband and family,
dancing and eating!!!
What’s the best way for our readers to
connect with you?
You can find me at www.toniabuxton.co.uk
and ToniaBuxton on Twitter and Instagram.
Photography: Antony Alexandrou from
www.3Aphotography.com
www.hamblegroup.com
www.hamblegroup.com
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22/08/2014 17:37