Viva Cuba began when Seb McGowan and Michael Cook, friends from early school days, who after university back packed round the world, worked in bars and restaurants in Leeds and Australia and then decided to take the plunge and set up on their own business.
Their first restaurant, Viva Cuba, opened in May 2001 in Leeds on Kirkstall Road in the premises of the former Yorkshire Bank.
A frantic exercise in “do it yourself ” preceded the launch of Viva Cuba, Seb and Michael took off for Cuba determined to research every bar and restaurant in Old Havana – what a sacrifice! – and returned to Leeds laden with paintings, artifacts and photographs.