I come from a big family in Ukraine. We’re four siblings, so our kitchen has always been busy. All of us are into sports. My parents are basketball coaches, while my brothers play in Italy and America. My sister is a referee, and I used to play, too, but I got injured and had to stay home for a long time. That’s when I started baking cakes, and that’s how my passion for the kitchen really flourished, making birthday cakes for my family.
Due to the war in Ukraine, I moved to Dubai to pursue career growth and have been living and working there for a year now. I started working in a Michelin-starred restaurant as a pastry CDP, and shortly after, I was promoted to pastry chef.
Right now, I’m responsible for pastry in four places: @sfumato.dxb, @soon.dxb, @soiree.dxb@sfumatocoffeepoint . It’s unbelievable how things work out, but I would not have had this opportunity without the war. Considering the situation not only in Ukraine but throughout the world, the kitchen should be a separate world where there is no war and drama. It should be a place where everyone speaks the same language – the language of knives and whisks.
That’s how I got a job in a kitchen in Spain. The chef there hired me even though I couldn’t speak Spanish, and my English was pretty bad. But we managed to make it work; we both spoke the same “kitchen language.”
If a moment in a kitchen changed my life, that experience was in Spain. Our shifts were really long, like 14-16 hours per day, five days a week. It was tough but also cool. Everyone there was passionate about their job and didn’t mind working overtime or even coming to work on their day off. They just loved what they were doing. And that’s when I realized I was just one of many really into food.
I want to see some changes in the industry, and I’m already seeing them happen. However, one thing that bothers me is how age always seems to factor in getting promoted to higher positions. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or good ideas you have – once they discover your age, you get rejected.
What is your favorite street food?
I’m not fan of street food) But if you will bring me ice cream from MacDonalds – I’m all yours.
Which restaurant or food stand do you recommend? (Different from yours) (Add its Instagram handle if possible)
@teible
What is your guilty pleasure?
Syrniki. If in menu I will see this dish – 100% I will take it
What ingredient do you find overrated?
Meat. I like vegetables and variety ways of cooking them
What ingredient do you think is underrated?
Vegetables) u can make everything with them. U can all set menu including desserts based on them.
What is your favorite kitchen tool?
Tweezer and quenelle spoon – you will always find in my bag.
What is your worst kitchen nightmare?
I could say broken cake which you need to give for delivery like in 10 min. But with experience which I have already – everything could be solve.
