My Son with Autism Inspired Me to Open the Ethno Restaurant

Only a Half-Hour Drive from the 'Smolari Waterfalls' Lies the Village of Bosilovo, Just 8 Kilometers from Strumica. The Majority of the Village's Residents Are Engaged in Agriculture and Livestock Farming. Some Work in Larger Cities Like Strumica and Gevgelija, While Others Have Excelled in Returning to the Village and Investing in the Development of Rural Tourism.

Today, We Will Share the Story of Kosta Timov, Who Moved from a Managerial Position in Gevgelija Back to Bosilovo and Opened His Own Ethno Restaurant. The Restaurant Features a Vast Garden and Is Home to Many Domestic Animals, Including His Horse, Which He Uses for the Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs.

Kosta says that the reason he made this decision is his son with autism. His child, Viktor, is the only reason he is giving his all to provide a life that he deserves.

Kosta also mentions that his managerial position prompted him to start thinking about how to spend more time with his family and how to begin functioning independently from his work commitments.

The constant excuses for his absences from work and the lack of time to care for his son, as well as the ongoing thoughts about how to include his child in daily routines, laid the foundation for his idea of opening his own restaurant.

The main reason that motivated him to open an ethno restaurant with a large green space, where children with special needs would feel all the benefits, was the recurring problem in some hospitality establishments. In these places, guests often commented, 'Why don't you stay home?' or 'Why did you bring that child with you?

On June 20th of last year, he opened the gates of his restaurant, named 'Ethno Restaurant at Viktor,' for the first time to all guests. He also invited all parents of children with special needs from the region and promised that this yard is welcome to everyone. Various symposiums, seminars, traditional folkloric events, and village gatherings, such as those held on Easter, Christmas Eve, and other holidays, can be organized here.

The goal of the restaurant is to bring all children together in one place where they can socialize and enjoy playing with each other. Rural tourism should be developed here, allowing children from the cities to get acquainted with village life, eat products from rural gardens, and exchange experiences with each other.

As part of the restaurant, they have built a mini zoo where they raise various domestic animals, including the beloved horse that Kosta uses for the rehabilitation of children.

They simply enjoy themselves," says Timov, adding that the most important thing is for parents to watch over their children to prevent any injuries, while everything else is allowed. The noise of the children does not disturb him because he is fully aware of what they are going through. In his view, all children deserve to be happy.

Every Tuesday, Kosta organizes a day for children with special needs. He invites parents for a coffee chat, while preparing various specialties for the children. In his kitchen, a top chef with many years of experience works, and he is assisted by Viktor, who has his own culinary tasks assigned by his father. He takes care of the vegetables and fruits, washes the salad, and performs lighter tasks that cannot cause harm. We learned that he will soon be employed, gaining a more serious role.

Viktor wants to learn how to preserve tradition. He loves food and outdoor activities. Kosta's experience has shown that the main therapy for children with autism is food. For this reason, he ensures that the food has no contact with pesticides and chemicals.

Good things are being said about the traditional food served at the restaurant. In addition to being carefully selected, it is prepared over a fire. The meat products are sourced from the village because, according to Kosta, this way they can help each other. The dairy products come from his brother, who has a farm with cows, producing up to 200 liters of fresh milk daily.

The restaurant's yard is filled with joy on warm days of the year. With more than half a year of existence, it justifies the motto that we are all the same, and we all deserve happiness.

If you want more information about the restaurant, you can check out the Facebook fan page with one click HERE.