Loulla Astin 

Currently working on her first cookbook, Kosmos Kitchen, to be published in Autumn, 2002, Loulla Astin was born in Avgorou a small traditional village in Cyprus. Her grandmother was Loulla’s earliest and most important inspiration. From her, Loulla learned all about generations-old Cypriot and Greek cuisine.

At fifteen Loulla came with her family to Britain, where her father was a major player in bringing Greek food to Manchester. By 1981 Loulla, with husband Stewart, joined the family business and opened Manchester’s now famous Kosmos Taverna.

Kosmos went from strength to strength, featuring Greek and Greek Island dishes. A year after opening they were in Consumers’ Association’s Good Food Guide, the Egon Ronay Guide, followed by AA Top 500 Restaurants and in 1990 won the Perrier Restaurant of the Year award.

Success brought media attention. Loulla appears regularly on BBC2, Carlton and Sky. In 1996 she was nominated Woman of the Year and recorded her own television series, Simply Greek, followed by two more: Restaurant Dishes and World on a Plate.

Recently Loulla has provided recipes to the Cyprus Trade Centre, promoting tourism, Cypriot products, including, of course, food.

Currently she’s also working with the Vegetarian Society and features in their promotional video. You’ll find Loulla on Granada Breeze (satellite) and on This Morning. Even Richard and Judy on Channel 4 declare Kosmos a favourite eating place.