Footscray’s Olympic Doughnuts story hits a nerve with filmmaker

NICK Tsiligiris has been tempting locals and visitors alike with the delicious scent of his freshly made jam doughnuts since 1979

Nick Tsiligiris, 76, has been tempting locals and visitors alike with the delicious scent of his freshly made hot jam doughnuts, at Footscray train station in Melbourne's inner west, every day since 1979. He has moved from his rusty old van he had operated Olympic Doughnuts from for 30 years into a new shop front as part of the redevelopment of the station. Picture: Sarah Matray

DOUGHNUT ask Nick Tsiligiris for his recipe ... it’s top secret.

The 76-year-old has been tempting locals and visitors alike with the delicious scent of his freshly made hot jam doughnuts at Footscray train station since 1979.

Asked of the famous recipe given to him by a flour salesman when he first arrived in Australia by boat from Greece in 1966, he smirks: “I’d only tell you lies.”

But he admits it was his grandmother that taught him everything he knows in the kitchen.

The fate of Olympic Doughnuts came under threat last year when the station underwent Regional Rail Link works.

He was forced to move the rusty and graffiti-laden caravan he had operated in from under the pedestrian footbridge for 30 years.

Not wanting to let his loyal customers down, Mr Tsiligiris constantly moved the van around the workers as the construction site expanded.

His captivating story has been the inspiration of a short film, Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary, which has been selected to be professionally produced as part of the Raw Nerve Production Initiative.

Filmmaker Ian Tran said the documentary would be “an ode to Footscray,” showing off its cultural diversity.

“We chose Nick because he’s such an iconic part of Footscray,” Mr Tran said.

“He’s more than just a man selling doughnuts. He has captured the hearts of so many people with his zest for life.”

Mr Tsiligiris, who makes 10 buckets of dough at his home each evening, has now ditched the caravan and moved into a new shopfront on Irving St. Customers, don’t fear though, his recipe remains the same.

TOP EATS IN MARIBYRNONG

Just like the games themselves, Olympic Doughnuts are epic.

You won’t be satisfied by placing just one order with Nick Tsiligiris as he will quickly have you coming back for more of the crispy jam-filled treats.

The dough is shaped into balls, deep-fried until golden, rolled in sugar and then speared by his famed dolphin-shaped dispenser for a generous dollop of raspberry jam.

It has a deliciously soft centre while the outside sugar dusting provides the necessary sweetness. As for the jam, it is a classic.

BRIDIEBYRNE

Maribyrnong Leader’s Top Eats series continues next week with 8bit.

Olympic Doughnuts

Irving St, next to the Footscray station

Cost: 80c each