THE ELSKA KITCHEN JOURNEY
The Elska Kitchen was born out of our love for good food, family and travel, and a passion for ethical, ecologically conscious living. Our cafe deli shop relies on the freshest organic, locally sourced produce, to deliver flavours that nourish the body and open the mind and heart. Our deli shop offers specialty foods, as well as wellness products, and take away is always available.
In 2021 we were joined by chef Maria Gonzalez, adding her Venezuelan-Spanish boldness of flavor and spirit to our vision and providing super fresh and creative dishes and desserts for all food lovers.
We are located in the gorgeous natural setting of Aljezur and Costa Vicentina. Enjoy the spectacular view over Arrifana beach as you relax in our cozy, coastal style decor.
We source from local growers and producers as much as possible, and we are proud to keep food waste and disposable plastics to an absolute minimum.
Our goal is to offer the highest quality, most delicious and healthy experience to our guests and to the wonderfully supportive Aljezur community, and join the global growth of conscious kitchens.
KERENSA & STEPPE
Kerensa and Steppe met on a film set in Luxembourg 15 years ago and have been together ever since.
The name Elska comes from their heritage - Steppe is half Irish, half Icelandic, while Kerensa is half English, half Swedish - Elska means love in both Swedish and Icelandic.
After years as an assistant director in film, Steppe, a natural logistics type, went on to work as an opening manager for Jamie Oliver, training staff and launching new restaurants in central London. This is where he met Elska's head chef, Francisco.
Kerensa worked as a script supervisor for film and TV, filming in locations all over the world.
Feeling the urge to settle down and start a family they took the rather drastic leap to the hillsides of Tenerife, to run an organic B&B and yoga retreat centre. This is where they developed their love of nature and enjoyed cooking for the guests. As much as they loved their 5 years on the island, they were missing a sense of creativity and an active community to be part of. So in 2018 - following in the footsteps of Kerensa's sister - they moved to Portugal!
The whole family has fallen completely head-over-heels in love with with Aljezur! The incredible nature and strong community spirit made such an impact. After deciding to open a health-themed cafe/restaurant and teaming up with chef Francisco Barbosa, The Elska Kitchen was born. The current version of The Elska Kitchen focuses on organic bistro food, coffee and desert, with a deli shop of specialty foods and organic products.
Steppe and Kerensa have always had a passion for healthy food, and they both enjoy developing projects from the ground up.
The Elska Kitchen embodies their cumulative experience and passion for quality ingredients, zero food wastage and dynamic flavours.
The cafe deli shop is based on the community they've fostered here in Aljezur, and collaborations with local producers, along with conscious cooking and relaxed design, create this magical hub of peace, health and love they truly believe in.
The Elska Kitchen in the Press
Tomorrow Magazine, " Maria's dishes are bold, and she delivers honest, hearty cuisine, confidently and unpretentiously turning locally sourced and mainly organic ingredients into fresh and indulgent food....The Elska Kitchen is an upbeat bohemian cultural hub, where digital nomads, surfers, tourists, and mums with little ones happily pass their time"
Timeout Lisboa, Costa Alentejana e Vicentine issue