Rena Mihalopoulos

Rena Mihalopoulos is a Melbourne-born cook and writer whose work celebrates Greek heritage through food. The daughter of Greek migrants who arrived in Australia in the early 1960s, she grew up between two cultures—learning English at school while absorbing the flavours, rituals, and generosity of the Greek kitchen at home.

With more than forty years’ experience cooking the dishes of her upbringing, Rena has documented a curated collection of time-honoured recipes, translated into English and adapted for the modern Australian kitchen. She writes for home cooks who want authentic flavour without fuss, championing seasonal produce, olive oil, and the everyday artistry of simple meals. Her approach honours tradition while welcoming new cooks into the Mediterranean way of eating: unprocessed, shared, and deeply connected to family, community, and celebration. Above all, she hopes each recipe invites readers to gather, cook with confidence, and pass the tastes of home to the next generation. 

“I’m drawn to the freshness of gently seasoned Greek food: simple, confident cooking that lets the ingredients speak. Guided by the ancient wisdom of Epicurus and Hippocrates, it honours moderation, balance, and mindful eating.”
—Rena Mihalopoulos