We are a unique team of industry professionals; DESIGNERS, RESTAURATEURS, CHEFS, OPERATORS, TECHNICIANS, & CREATIVES that live and breathe creating food experiences.
Nick Giagkou
President
You will not find a more experienced and committed foodservice design professional in the industry...Period. Not only has Nick been designing Restaurants and Bars for over 30 years, but he has consulted with manufacturers and fabricators to properly engineer and design the tools and equipment that allow Chefs to bring their vision and creativity to life. Held by no boundaries, Nick's intimacy with all aspects of the Restaurant experience from Design, to Construction, to Opening make him the embodiment of the place where "PASSION MEETS PRECISION".
Harriet (Giagkou) Sides
COO
Harriet has been dedicated to Olympus for 30+ years, proudly continuing her parents legacy. She has a Degree in Business Management & experience working in the Psychology/Mental Health field providing her with a unique perspective and a well-rounded approach to problem-solving and leadership. Harriet loves working with people and is passionate about making connections with clients & colleagues, and fostering collaboration and growth through those relationships. Her commitment is to not only see Olympus offer personalized service and exceptional products, but to see it thrive in the next generation of leadership and for customers to discover the difference that generations of expertise and passion make.
CFO
Helen (Giagkou) Buivid
Helen's journey with Olympus began as soon as she could walk, playing the role of a checkout clerk and assisting her mother (Vicky), & father (Tony) bagging customers' purchases at the store.
Although she initially pursued a career in PR and Marketing, Helen's inherent passion for cultivating relationships, laying down strong business foundations, and carrying on the family legacy led her back to Olympus. Alongside her partners and siblings, Helen has proudly steered the company towards success, molding and nurturing it into the thriving establishment it is today.
V.P. Sales & Marketing
Bobby Buivid
Bobby started his career in Marketing while in college. For over a decade he then developed brand marketing strategies with supporting experiential platforms for brands like Bud Light, Pepsi, Toys for Tots, Dimetapp, and NASCAR. After relocating to Chicago he found a passion for the foodservice industry and leveraged his experience in marketing and design to transition into Restaurant Design/Build & Consulting. At Olympus he founded "Equipment & Design Masters" a video/content brand educating the industry by showcasing innovative kitchen equipment, smart design solutions, and the manufacturers shaping foodservice. Bobby also co-created and opened hop + grind, a revolutionary fast casual burger concept that launched in Durham, NH.
Rachel Schwab
Executive Project Manager / Design Division
Rachel earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from the University of Louisville and brings a well-rounded background in design to her role as Executive Project Manager and Design Lead at Olympus Culinary. Her career has spanned flooring, residential kitchen, and bath design, before she combined her love of design and food by joining the Olympus team in 2019. A Chicago native who has also called Kentucky and Atlanta home, Rachel enjoys exploring new places through travel. Outside of work, she can often be found in her garden, growing fresh vegetables and herbs that inspire her cooking at home.
Grant Johnson
Design Build Consultant
Grant has always had a passion for foodservice and hospitality. From a young age he remembers the excitement of getting to try a new restaurant with his father. He appreciated the experience and was never the kid looking for screen time in those moments. After leaving a career in digital marketing Grant was brought on to assist Nick Giagkou (owner of Olympic) from here he was mentored into the design build kitchen professional he is today. Grant is also the owner/investor of the local critically acclaimed Professor Pizza restaurant. He also worked as a Manufacturers representative and a design build sales consultant with another local company. These other working experiences have rounded him out into the experienced and customer dedicated design build kitchen sales consultant he is today.
Victor Reyes
Drafter / Project Coordinator
Victor started his career in architecture, earning his degree and spending six years with a Chicago firm before discovering how much he enjoyed working in the foodservice world. Joining Olympus Culinary Solutions has been a great way to combine two things he cares about — good design and good food — while helping restaurants create kitchens that are practical and inviting. He enjoys contributing to the team’s effort to refine drawing standards and make plans as clear and helpful as possible. Victor appreciates working in an environment where attention to detail matters and feels right at home on a team that shares those values. Outside of work, Victor keeps his design skills sharp through personal projects and continues exploring Chicago’s food scene — a perfect mix of creativity and culinary inspiration.