Preston restaurant Greekouzina makes British Kebab Awards shortlist for sixth year in a row

A popular Preston city centre takeaway and restaurant is in the running to be crowned the best Greek restaurant in the country - for the sixth year in a row.

Greekouzina in Friargate is one of 13 finalists in this year’s British Kebab Awards.

Making it through thanks to the public vote the highly-rated Greek foodie outlet is now vying to be the best in the country.

A spokesperson for Greekouzina said on their finalist nomination: “We wholeheartedly want to say a massive thank you for the support of the local community. And of course we do hope that people will vote for us. Being in the top ten for six years in a row means a lot, and it makes us hope for the top.”

Originally in Marsh Lane near the university since 2018, the traditional Greek outlet moved to the Friargate spot in 2021 near to the Ringway and has carved out a strong reputation for gyros and more since.

Run by husband and wife team, Vasileios ‘Bill’ Karastergios and Christina Laporda, they are urging the city to get behind them and triumph in the awards which will be announced in Spring 2027.

Vasileios recently attended a Houses of Parliament reception for those on the shortlist, where he caught up with Speaker of the House of Commons and Chorley MP, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

Vaseileios said: “Together with my wife Christina Laporda, we had the privilege of representing Greekouzina, Preston and Lancashire at this prestigious occasion, alongside Members of Parliament, distinguished guests and leading figures from across the UK hospitality industry.

“It was a particular honour to meet Mr Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and to hear from and meet Members of Parliament who joined the reception and spoke in support of the hospitality sector and the businesses and people behind it.

“We were also delighted to meet Ibrahim Dogus, Founder of the British Kebab Awards, whose work over the years has helped bring recognition to the contribution that independent restaurants and hospitality businesses make to communities across Britain.

“For Greekouzina, after years of being recognised within the British Kebab Awards, receiving an invitation to such a special Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons was a genuinely proud moment.

“We started Greekouzina with a passion for authentic Greek food and genuine Greek hospitality.

“To now have the opportunity to represent our restaurant, Preston and Lancashire at the Houses of Parliament is something very special to us.

“A huge thank you to our customers, our team, our friends and everyone who has supported Greekouzina throughout the years. You are all part of this journey and these moments would not be possible without your continued support.”

You can vote for Greekouzina on the British Kebeb Awards website and the deadline for voting is 31 January 2027.

• This article was produced as part of a Lancashire Post collaboration with Blog Preston.