Ukrainian chef and food writer Olia Hercules gave a talk at the Ukrainian Institute London on December 17, 2015.
AUTHOR
Ukrainian Institute London
“Despite the very diverse ethnic mix of my family, I feel Ukrainian, beyond any doubt,” says Olia Hercules, author of Mamushka. Recipes from Ukraine and beyond. Olia spoke to a packed audience of some 50 people at the Ukrainian Institute London on December 17, 2015.
This event was greatly anticipated: many were eager to get to know Olia, whose book became an instant hit and whose TV appearances are drawing an ever-growing pool of supporters. This is the first time the Ukrainian Institute London made a recipe book the focal point of an event. There is so much more in this book than just a selection of recipes: it conjures up a whole new idea of Ukraine – a land of sunflower fields and sun-drenched tomatoes, with an amazing mix of cultures and flavours thrown in.
Some have already spoken of Olia as a great ambassador for Ukraine, cutting through the gloom of daily reports of war and corruption and making Ukraine shine.
“Green borshch, bursting with the malachite hue of wilted sorrel” and “enticing smells of warm poppy seed cakes” – Olia’s writing evokes the smells and colours of a happy childhood spent in the south of Ukraine and creates a positive feeling about the country that Ukraine so desperately needs. Some have already spoken of Olia as a great ambassador for Ukraine, cutting through the gloom of daily reports of war and corruption and making Ukraine shine.
Originally from Kakhovka in the south of Ukraine, Olia came to the success of Mamushka through a culinary career, which included working in the Ottolenghi restaurant kitchen and developing recipes for a variety of food magazines, including Sainsbury’s Magazine and Jamie Magazine. She has appeared on the cookery show Red, Hot and Yummy and in Guardian Cook, and was picked as Observer Rising Star of 2015.
For the write-up of the event by Ukrainian Events in London, please click here.
