Ukrainian food writer and olive contributor Olia Hercules and Russian food creative Alissa Timoshkina have joined up with Clerkenwell Boy and the team behind #CookForSyria (which raised over £1m for UNICEF) to create a food movement in support of Ukraine. All funds raised on the Just Giving page will be donated to UNICEF UK’s Ukraine appeal. As well as raising over £2 million so far, the movement is about creating a community of support in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and celebrating the country’s spirit, cuisine and culture.
You can also listen to our Cook for Ukraine podcast in which we share ways you can support the #CookForUkraine initiative.
Olia Hercules
Olia was born in Ukraine and now lives and works in the UK as a chef, food writer and cookbook author. Olia is campaigning to remind people of the beauty of Ukraine’s cuisine and landscape – which she so beautifully spoke about on our podcast. She has been raising funds to directly send to her brother and fellow Ukrainians in Kyviv, as well as providing practical advice for her followers to support. Follow Olia’s story on Instagram.
Alissa Timoshkina
Alissa is a Russian London-based food creative, supper club host and cookbook author. Alissa has Ukrainian roots, like many Russians, and is helping lead the #CookForUkraine campaign. She says on the Just Giving page, “Let’s cook for peace, freedom, truth, common sense, rational thought and love.”
Alissa (left) and Olia (right)
How to support #CookForUkraine
Below, we have highlighted the ways in which you can support and get involved in the movement.
Attend the #BakeForUkraine bake sale
Founders of the #CookForUkraine movement, Olia Hercules, Alissa Timoshkina and Clerkenwell Boy, are hosting a charity bake sale at Toklas Restaurant on Saturday 4 March between 10am and 1pm. Bakers will come together to mark a year since the beginning of the invasion in Ukraine and raise funds for the Legacy of War Foundation. The movement has once again gathered the support of the best bakers in London (including the likes of Karaway Bakery, Violet and The Snapery) to create one-off creations and signature bakes, to enjoy with coffee by Assembly and premium Ukrainian vodka from Dima’s Vodka.
Cook Ukrainian recipes
Experiment with Ukrainian and eastern European dishes at home, share your creations on social media with the hashtag #CookForUkraine and donate to the Just Giving page, then encourage your friends and family to follow suit. Take a look at Olia Hercules’s recipes for inspiration, including cauliflower fritters with dill and garlic mayo.
Host a dinner party, supper club or bake sale
Host your own supper club or bake sale and ask your guests to donate to the Just Giving page. Take inspiration from Olia Hercules’s explanation of diversity of Ukrainian cuisine and its most popular dishes. Share your events on social media with the hashtag #CookForUkraine to encourage others to get involved.
Support other initiatives and buy products
Food and drink artisans are also pledging to the cause. Dima’s Ukrainian vodka is donating £5 from every bottle of its triple-grain Ukrainian vodka and vodka-infused cocktails (think fig martini, pickled gimlet and Kyviv’s espresso martini).
Find out more about the #CookForUkraine campaign and donate on the Just Giving page.
