Brits Abroad….As you Like!

As requested by several of our readers throughout the world, here is our first feature  for ‘Brits Abroad in Kos’  Ex Pats  that have moved to this little Greek island , and made it their home.

So meet Julie, who is having the time of her life!  Life,  which by no means gets dull after 40!

Seventeen years ago, a newly qualified Chef was offered a position in Kos to supervise several work experience students at the Kos Catering Centre (which is now the Health Centre in Antimachia).

Today, Julie is running her own business, with hopes and dreams of having a Franchise for  ‘As you Like’, throughout the world!

‘As you like’ is situated in a busy street of Kardamena, and is a popular  and very modern sandwich, salad, snack and refreshment stop. That also delivers too!

A girl who certainly has the gift of the gab, and clever and creative business ideas.  Julie is a wife, she met her husband whilst paragliding many moons ago, whilst in Kardamena on holiday with friends in 1994,  he was working at one of the Kardamena Watesports Clubs.

“Was it love at first sight?” I asked, hoping for a truly romantic tale….

  “NO!  He had jeans on, it was summer, and 40 degrees and I wondered who the hell wears jeans on the beach, and asked him why?, and we got talking……”

Later came the twins, (a boy and a girl, now 10 years old),  that mum and dad are hugely proud of, both doing well at school, bi-lingual of course, and help out when they can too.  After a number of years being a stay at home mum, (6 in fact),  now has an extended family and is known as  ’mama’ to the majority of working staff in Kardamena!   Managers, Reps, and bar staff  are always popping in for a bite to eat,(or  hangover cure), and sometimes  just for a listening ear. 

As you like,  is like a breath of fresh air, in the fact that it is bright green and red, the whole decor and theme of the shop designed by Julie.   Julie and her efficient staff have matching uniforms (Julie even wears one red, and one green baseball shoe), and matching hair bands!  The Delivery car is fantastic too, and certainly can be spotted in a crowd!

The menu board has all been  cleverly worded and thought of carefully with a few new editions and specials added often too.   Names such as sandwiches called ‘Beeftastic”, or “Great Balls of Fire” just to mention a couple.  As you like it,  also helps provide a healthy diet  for those working in Kardamena, with plenty of fruit, vegetable and salad choices too.

Julie’s new adventure has taken off too, for those mums and dads that are worried about their children (although most of them are over 18), that are working/living on the island of Kos, they can buy vouchers for As you Like, on line via pay-pal to ensure that their working children remember to eat, and don’t starve when they run out of money!

Julie would like to feed the world, but at the moment is content in Kardamena, for now, although,  still has her eyes on the future too.   You will also find Julie whizzing around delivering scrumptious snacks and refreshments in the region (even delivering to all those working reps at the airport, and passengers facing long delays.  To friends/holiday makers (on beaches, or in hotels/apartments).

In the winter time Julie can be found occassionally on Facebook, and often on her wii fit! Or even with one of her many friends, drinking coffee or helping out at certain charity events and children’s parties.    Never a dull moment!

Please see Julie’s own website for further information and her smart, fun competition ideas, the winner each year gets a free flight to the UK,or a cash prize!  Also the  AS-YOU-LIKE Facebook page.

Julie is  one of the many ex pats on the island, always involved in the community and trying to make a difference.  There are many more, actually a few hundred!  Stay tuned for our next featured expat edition!

If you are a Brit Abroad (living in Kos), and would like to share your story, then please contact tsakellaris@hotmail.com