Tigran Shahverdyan, Scientist, Entrepreneur, and BBQ master!

Tigran Shahverdyan

It always starts with a simple request. This one came on June 27th from Tigran Shahverdyan,  a scientist/entrepreneur from Moscow, Russia, who is currently participating in the International Space University’s (ISU) Space Studies Program at Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL. He’s active in the Armenian community in Moscow, and is interested in meeting Armenians in the Melbourne area even though he’ll only be here through August 4.   

Tigran wrote:

“A lot of cultures and nations are represented by participants (in ISU). Every culture must make a cultural night presentation and prepare some dishes from national cuisine. I’m the only participant in Armenian team and Armenian cultural night is this Friday (June 29^th). Not much time left. I would be very thankful if you could recommend any store with Armenian products – or at least a place where I can find Armenian lavash. I’m thinking about making barbecue.”

This didn’t leave me a lot of time, so I got right down to work. Since I live about 3 hours from Melbourne, Google came to my rescue. It produced the names of a couple of Middle Eastern stores in Tigran’s area, which I sent to him directly. I also put him in touch with a young Armenian couple in his area, who are looking forward to meeting him as well.

“Thank you! It would be great to meet (the couple). I found lavash in the store that is just near me. So tomorrow I’m going to make barbecue.”

Tigran, the Armenian ‘chef’

His BBQ’d pork and chicken