Background

Patrick Skinner and his wife Mary settled in Cyprus in 1991, she to restore and furnish an old village house, he to write and photograph. They have accomplished this, but, through a chance happening, they now look after 89 unwanted donkeys and one old horse. Their shelter is now a registered charity and the only such organisation in Cyprus. A lifetime love of food and wine, combined with travel and assignments all around the Mediterranean region, to say nothing of donkeys and rural life, have given Patrick plenty of subject material for articles appearing every week in newspapers and magazines published in Cyprus, Britain and elsewhere.

Although he has set up and contributed to a number of books, "Patrick Skinner's Cyprus Kitchen" is the first to bear his name as sole author. It is really "by request" from many people who have read his recipes in various places and wanted them in book form.

"That's one reason", says Patrick, "There is another. We need quite a lot of money to run our donkey sanctuary. Every copy of my cook book that is sold carries a royalty for the old darlings and every one we sell direct, from our shop or by mail, generates a much larger donation".    Order your copy here.

Patrick Skinner and his wife Mary settled in Cyprus in 1991, "to live a quieter rural life", he to write about wine, she to develop the house and garden of their hillside retreat. This followed some years of running an international marketing and PR firm, which entailed much writing: articles, speeches, reports, books, TV documentaries and people profiles. The pen, typewriter and word processor have assisted multi-national corporations, hotels, airlines, tourism organisations, food manufacturers, wine producers and wine marketeers from all over the world.

He now writes every week on food and drink in "The Cyprus Mail", has a widely syndicated weekly column about Mediterranean food and contributes to many magazines in Cyprus and elsewhere. When not writing he helps Mary run the "Friends of the Cyprus Donkey" sanctuary, which, since it was founded in 1994 has taken in more than 130 unwanted animals. Every copy of this book sold will provide a donation for the sanctuary.

Alyana Cazalet was born in Russia and studied art in Moscow and London. She published two books in Russia, "School" (1989) and "Quiet Feasts" (1991). After moving to London she worked as a freelance artist and illustrator, including assignments for a BBC children's magazine. Her work has been exhibited in Britain, France and Spain. She moved to Cyprus in 1995, where she has continued her work, undertaking various projects, participating in several exhibitions and has had her own one woman show in 1998. She has been inspired by the colour and taste of Cyprus food. She admits not to have tried any of Patrick's recipes as yet – which will mark yet another turning point in her varied and interesting life.