Where Craft Meets Flavor, Rooted in Origin

Lulu’s Kitchen is the realization of a deeply personal vision: a space where culinary craft, heritage, and origin converge to create experiences that are both refined and true. Founded by Chef Alia “Lulu” El Askalany, the brand is rooted in a philosophy of seasonality, provenance, and thoughtful flavor — a bridge between Egypt and its Mediterranean influences, and a tribute to the land where every ingredient tells a story.

Alia’s journey began long before Lulu’s Kitchen became a consultancy or culinary brand. Originally drawn to food from a young age, she turned that passion into formal training in 2014, when she joined Le Cordon Bleu in London. While studying there, she sharpened her technique through hands-on experience at various local establishments such as Jamie Oliver’s Recipease, and L’Atelier des Chefs, each space adding a layer to her culinary sensibility. 

In 2017, Alia deepened her connection to the Mediterranean by enrolling at the Florence Culinary Arts School in Italy.  Her path then led her to Sicily in 2020, where she immersed herself in an agro-culinary program at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School, exploring ethical sourcing, Sicilian food heritage, and rural traditions. 

Her transformation into an olive oil expert came in 2022, when she earned her certification as a professional olive oil taster from ONAOO Scuola in Liguria, Italy, making her one of the first certified female olive oil sommeliers from Egypt. This deep tasting discipline is now central to Lulu’s Kitchen.

Alia’s professional experience is as broad as it is rich: beyond her culinary training, she has held key roles in marketing, PR, and operations for well-known F&B establishments such as Crave, Casper & Gambini’s, Scoops, and Zeitouna Bistro.  In 2014, she launched Lulu’s Kitchen as a cooking-class concept in her own home, teaching intimate workshops in Zamalek.  Over time, Lulu’s Kitchen evolved into a full-fledged culinary consultancy, combining pop-up dinners, recipe development, gastro-tourism, menu consultancy, and product creation. 

Today, Lulu’s Kitchen offers a portfolio of services — from culinary experiences and gastro-tourism to menu development, kitchen-staff training, and olive oil tasting events.  Through these, Alia weaves together her two great passions: the art of cooking and the terroir of origin, all grounded in her respect for craft and heritage.