The Chef

"His recipes are always successful!" - This is something that most people know about Akis and the first thing to say about him. Until he conquered it, however, it took several years of hard work, many dreams, and even more successful goals. Akis was born and raised in Thessaloniki, from which he left when he turned 18 to study accounting in Athens. Everything was good with accounting, but it was certainly not what he dreamed of doing in his life. So, he decided to pursue his dream which was not in the offices, but in the kitchens and -in fact- not only in Greek ones, but in the kitchens of the whole world!

The road to knowledge…

The starting point of this new beginning was his studies at the culinary school "Le Monde", which went hand in hand with his studies in accounting. Upon completion of his studies, Akis' professional career in the field of cooking begins. At first in various restaurants and hotels in Greece, and then in England with the culmination of the first steps of his career in the kitchen of the famous hotel "The Goring".

…and success.

In 2010, Akis is back in Greece and specifically in the well-known game show on MEGA channel called "The Master Chef", through which he emerges as the first Greek Master Chef. From 2012 and for the next 2 years, he holds the position of Head Chef at the restaurant of chef Michel Roux - the Avenue Bistro at the Metropolitan Hotel.

Akis’ television success

From that moment on, Akis started a series of shows both on TV and on his YouTube channel, which aimed to make people love homemade food, get into their kitchen and dare to create easy, as well as more demanding recipes. They all had a common secret of success: tried and tested recipes, ideal for those taking their first steps in cooking, but also for those looking for "something more" in their cooking. In detail…

From 2010 to 2014, Akis had his own cooking section on MEGA channel’s morning show called “My breakfast”.
From 2014 to 2015, Akis hosted his own travel cooking show on MEGA channel, called “Stories from the List”, through which he gave viewers a unique tour and discovered magnificent dishes, flavors, and views of Greece.
From 2014 to 2016, he hosted his own daily cooking show “Do it like Akis” on MEGA channel.
From 2015 to 2017, he collaborated with Fresh One Productions company and hosted his own cooking videos on his channel, “Akis on Food Tube”, through Jamie Oliver’s FoodTube Network on YouTube.
That same year (2015), he became the creator, producer, and host of his own YouTube channel, Akis Petretzikis. These are, in essence, two different channels - one Greek and one English - which include cooking shows - many of which are translated into Sign Language - and videos of various content that revolve around a very specific topic: food! A few of them are the shows Kitchen Lab, Akis’ diet, Taste the day, Celebrity Cooking, askAkis, LIVE Home Cooking, Food for Thought, etc.
In 2017, a daily cooking game show called “Ready Steady Cook” began to air on ALPHA channel, and Akis took on the role of the host.
From 2017 to 2018, his cooking show «Kitchen Lab» began to air on SKAI channel.
From 2018 to 2019, he took on the role of a judge in ALPHA's reality show "Bake Off Greece".
From 2018 until today, he has hosted the "Kitchen Lab" show every weekend on ALPHA channel; a show that continues to gather the interest and love of the TV audience.
In 2019, Akis hosted another travel cooking show, full of original flavors and wonderful destinations, called “Akis' Food Tour” which aired on ALPHA channel.
In 2020, he participated as a co-host on the “Ready Steady Cook” show of the British television channel BBC One.
In 2024, the second and third seasons of Akis' Food Tour air on ALPHA, where Akis continues to travel across Greece and abroad, showcasing hidden culinary treasures and traditional recipes.
Also in 2024, the second season of Akis' Food Tour is available on Netflix in Greece and Cyprus, as well as in nine Balkan countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania) through 24Kitchen (Disney).
In 2024, the new show "Baking with Akis" started airing across the Balkans exclusively on 24Kitchen (Disney). Four seasons have already aired, with the next one on the way. Each episode features two oven-baked recipes -both savory and sweet- blending classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes with modern twists.
In 2025, the fourth season of "Akis' Food Tour" airs on ALPHA channel, with Akis continuing to travel to unique destinations in Greece and abroad, showcasing traditional recipes and stunning landscapes.

Ιn addition, to keep up with the trends of the times, Akis keeps daily public communication with his followers through several social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Viber, Pinterest, and TikTok.

The publications…

Known for how easily he combines simple everyday ingredients and prepares delicious recipes -quick and affordable-, Akis soon made his debut in the publishing industry.

In 2014, he published his first cooking magazine (and many more magazines followed), while by the end of the same year, his first cookbook, “Now this you have to taste!”, was published by Psichogios Publications, and won the people’s choice award in the category of “Well-Being” at the Public Book Awards in 2015.
In 2016, came his second book, "Just Chocolate", which was published in collaboration with Nestlé Dessert by Patakis Publications.
In 2017, Akis finally creates his… cake bible. His cookbook, titled “Piece of Cake”, is published by Psychogios Publications and truly flies off the shelves!
A year later, in 2018, another cookbook of Akis is published by Psichogios Publications - this time not only in Greek, but also in English! - titled "Greek Comfort Food". 260 recipes of Greek, traditional cuisine immerse the reader in the secrets of pure, hearty food.
In 2019, the cookbook "Street Food" is published by Psichogios Publications, and in 2020, wins the people’s choice award in the "Well-Being" category of the Public Book Awards. Through its pages, Akis shows how we can prepare our own street food recipes in the kitchen of our home!
In 2021, "The Ultimate Vegetarian and Vegan Cookbook" is released with over 140 vegetarian and vegan recipes. Through this book, Akis proves both that we can go vegan... deliciously, and that -if we want- we can reduce the consumption of meat by preparing equally tasty and nutritious recipes.
In May of the same year (2021), the book "Just Chocolate" was re-released by Psichogios Publications in collaboration with Nestlé Dessert chocolate.
In 2022, Akis prepares the most delicious and complete "Brunch" ever! The beloved chef introduces us to the ultimate guide to a well-made brunch and shows us that –this meal– can be homemade, as well as very tasty, filling, and nutritious. Everything is a matter of choices and in the pages of this book... there are many!
In the same year (2022), the first series of kids' books on nutrition is released. Through adventurous stories, games, and lots of information, Akis helps kids get to know their food better and make better nutritional choices.
In 2024, Akis created the most colorful book with over 100 recipes to help organize the most exciting kids' parties! On its pages, you'll find easy snacks, impressive cakes, refreshing juices, 8 thematic sections, party planners & shopping lists with QR codes, cooking tips, and nutritional information.
In 2024, Akis also published "Eykolaki" (So Easy) through Dioptra Publications. This cookbook contains 120 quick and easy recipes, serving as the ultimate guide for anyone looking to dive into the world of cooking.
In November 2025, "Hi PROTEIN!" was published by Dioptra Publications. The book features 120 protein-packed recipes for a balanced diet, designed for everyone, and serves as a comprehensive guide to everything we need to know about protein.

Akis is...all about the kids
Thoughts, research, creative, educational, as well as... delicious ideas come together in 2022 when Akis takes a big step and enters the world of kids! He only has one goal: to help kids get to know their food better and discover everything about food by combining knowledge and play. How does he do this?

By introducing kids to the interactive educational program "Know my Food" which, from October 2022, is included in the proposed Programs of the Primary School Skills Workshops of the Greek Institute of Educational Policy. The "Know my Food" workshop consists of 6 separate modules, which help kids to create (step-by-step) a more complete understanding of the food they choose to put on their plate, both in terms of how it affects their body and the environment.
In the same year, Akis "founds" the... Secret School of Cooks and narrates the adventures of its heroes through colorful book pages and board game cards which make up the most... delicious and nutritious kids' book series on nutrition! Kids, through a very creative and entertaining way, discover their nutrition "allies" and "enemies" and go on an incredible adventure that they will want to read again and again. Where will you find them? Ιn bookstores!

The office

Akis' entrepreneurial activities don't stop at TV shows and publications. Through the offices of Kitchen Lab, the beloved chef and his team are constantly finding new ways to capture the public's interest and introduce them to the secrets of good food. The team is continuously growing and enriched with people who have a special love for food or... will develop one through Akis and his unique culinary skills!

And these are just the…beginning! Because Akis' countless ideas and plans prove that his imagination and creativity never end!

Stay tuned and… enjoy!