• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Storied Recipe logo
  • Episodes
  • Recipes
  • Prints Shop
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Episodes
  • Recipes
  • Prints Shop
  • About
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Episodes
  • Recipes
  • Prints Shop
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Podcast Episodes » Eastern European Heritage

117 Emergency Episode - Cook for Ukraine, An Opportunity Presented by Zuza Zak

Last Modified: Mar 16, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links

Welcome listeners to a special, unanticipated episode of The Storied Recipe podcast. I had an episode planned for release yesterday, but in light of the horrific current events in Ukraine, my guest preferred to postpone the release. I do thank M. Aimee of Milk of Thy Kindness for her sensitivity during this time. In the meantime, several months ago, I scheduled an interview with Zuza Zak for this Friday. Zuza was born and raised in Poland until the age of 8 under the oppressive communist regime of the former USSR.

She has written two cookbooks (Polska and Amber & Rye) that double as memoirs and love letters to her country. As things have gone from bad to worse in Ukraine this month, several prominent members of the cooking community (links below) have organized a massive fundraiser titled Bake for Ukraine. They immediately pulled Zuza on board. So rather than following through with the scheduled interview with Zuza tomorrow, instead today we are going to hear about this opportunity to support Ukraine through the Cook for Ukraine movement. We’ll look forward to a full and rich conversation with Zuza soon, but for now, I’m honored to have her on to tell us a little bit about her perspective on the invasion into Ukraine, the Cook For Ukraine Fundraiser, and how we can help. Welcome Zuza and to you, listeners.

Highlights

  • Zuza's experiences growing up in Poland and how they affect her experience and impression of these events
  • Reports from the ground in Poland
  • How she came on board with #CookForUkraine
  • An explanation of #CookForUkraine, who it supports, and how to get involved
  • Who to follow for credible information and more action steps

Listen to Zuza Now

Follow The Storied Recipe in Your Favorite Player

Apple PodcastsSpotify

4 Ways To Support Cook For Ukraine

1. Donate directly at Cook For Ukraine. If you'd like the direct link to cut and paste, it's here:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cookforukraine/

2. Put the link to donate in your IG bio, stories, FB post, website, etc; and share using the hashtag #CookForUkraine

3. To further involve your community, organize events and invite people to attend and donate. Ideas include supper clubs, bake sales, and workshops. While sharing, remember to hashtag #CookForUkraine

4. Over 50 restaurants in the UK have already joined by agreeing to donate any money over the amount billed (after tips) to Cook For Ukraine. Ask your restaurant. Restaurants wishing to get involved can contact CookForUkraine@gmail.com.

More Details & Contact Info for Cook For Ukraine

For complete details, access the Cook For Ukraine Press Release here.

Organizers of Cook For Ukraine ask that you direct all questions to CookForUkraine@gmail.com

People and Organizations to Follow

1. Zuza Zak is my guest for this episode. She was born and raised in Poland and has just finished her third cookbook. She is helping organize and publicize Cook For Ukraine and offering dumpling workshops to raise money. Follow her on IG at @zuzazakbakes for more information about attending her PierogiesForPeace workshops!!

2. Allisa Timoshkina is the founder of Cook For Ukraine and a Russian food creator and mother living in London.

3. Olia Hercules is a Ukrainian cookbook author living in the UK. Her entire family is in Ukraine and her father and brother are currently fighting in the red zone. Olia is sharing frequent updates on the situation, information to combat lies spread by the Putin regime, and many, many organizations through which you can give aid and support.

4. @clerkenwellboyec1 is a co-founder of #CookForSyria, #CookForUkraine, #CookForBeirut

5. Anisa of @thewonkystove was born in Odesa, Ukraine under the communist regime, and was the guest of last week's episode Siberia, Diamonds, and Clowns. She shares historical context to the recent hostilities and many ways to support Ukraine today.

6. Lydia, my guest for the powerful fan-favorite episode of "I Am Piotr's Granddaughter", has Ukrainian children and many ties to Ukraine through close friends and colleagues on the ground. Some are in hiding, some are fighting, and the whereabouts of some are unknown at the moment.

6. Larisa Niedle was also born in Odessa and is sharing up-to-date information and ways to help.

7. Sofia is a food photographer from Lviv. She has successfully fled to Prague, but her husband remains behind to fight. @sofia_popovych_photography

About Unicef's Work in Ukraine

All funds for Cook For Ukraine are being donated directly to Unicef. I always encourage you to find an organization you trust when donating goods or money.

This is an excerpt from UNICEF's Ukraine press release. I am sharing this excerpt on Thursday, March 3 around noontime. Always check for updated information.

"UNICEF and our partners are working 24 hours a day to meet rapidly escalating humanitarian needs, which include emergency medical services, critical medicines, health supplies and equipment, safe water for drinking and hygiene, and shelter and protection for those displaced from their homes.

"At present, we have 140 people working for UNICEF in Ukraine, and we are sending more to meet needs in-country. Across the east, nine UNICEF-supported child protection mobile teams are reaching children wherever they can with psychosocial care, mental health support, and protection services.

"But the operating environment in Ukraine is extremely complex. Access constraints and rapidly changing front lines make it much more difficult to deliver critical supplies and services.

"The refugee crisis is growing exponentially, increasing humanitarian needs.  Half of the people on the move are children. UNICEF is working closely with UNHCR to reach them with protection and assistance in receiving countries.

This Episode's Storied Recipe

Ukrainian Varynyky Recipe (Pierogi)
Recipe Shared by Lydia Cottrell of Ep 017

The Storied Recipe Needs Your Help!

Please leave a 5-star review for the podcast right here!

This link will give all review options available on your device. Simply choose any option, click, and leave a review. Thank you!

The Storied Recipe Print Shop

Where every print tells a story.

High end prints for your kitchen walls: Download and print immediately.

The Storied Recipe Newsletter

The Storied Recipe is a community that believes food is a universal love language. Join for episode & recipe updates every Friday mornings. (And occasional free gifts!)

More Related Episodes

  • 155 Slavic Folk Tales & Childhood Memories in The Bone Roots with Gabriela Houston
  • 150 How To Find Meaning After Pain with Natasha Levai
  • 133 The Diversity of Kazakhstan with Marina Lukyanchuk
  • 128 Mariupol: Memories, Warfare, & the Future of Ukraine with Olia Koutseridi

More Eastern European Recipes

  • closeup shot of sliced loaf of spiraled povitica bread with walnut cinnamon swirl on a pink plate
    How to Make Povitica Bread with Walnut Cinnamon Swirl
  • Golden brown Polish Pasztet with slices coming down towards camera. Styled with bay leaves and pistachios.
    Polish Pasztet: Pork, Beef, and Chicken Liver Pâté
  • Ukrainian Roll Ups: Baked Vegan Eggplant Appetizer
  • creamy chunks of red potatoes covered with dill cream sauce on pink plate
    Easy Ukrainian Dill Potatoes in Cream Sauce

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Before You Go... Try One of These?

More Guests of Eastern European Heritage

  • Cookbook Author Zuza Zak for The Storied Recipe Podcast
    124 A Love Letter to Poland with Zuza Zak, Author of Polska
  • 116 Siberia, Diamonds, and Clowns! The Story of A Jewish Ukrainian Refugee
  • 022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell
  • 016 Grandmother's Hungarian Friday Meal with Dora Hurley

Reader Interactions

Would love to hear from you! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

dark and moody photo of Becky Hadeed kneading arepas dough

Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

More About Me ->

Most Popular Recipes

  • two slices of chewy golden nian gao on pink plate
    Baked Nian Gao: Glutinous Rice Cake (with Sticky Rice Flour)
  • hand holds flaky spiraled roti paratha (aka roti canai in malaysia) above lush green foliage.
    How to Make Flaky Roti Paratha (Malaysian Roti Canai)
  • pollo frito puerto rican fried chicken with no flour in basket lined with red checked napkin
    Pollo Frito: Puerto Rican Fried Chicken (Without Flour)
  • delicate white dish holds fish cooked in tomato sauce, topped with gently caramelized onons, dill and parsley
    Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Follow in Your Favorite Player

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts

Listen to the Latest

Featured Episodes

  • 058 "I Wanted Something Different" with Juan Salazar of La Coop Coffee
  • 022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell
  • 019 "We Were Not Leprosy" with Suwanee Lennon
  • 077 Arabic Feasts with My Husband, John Hadeed
dark and moody photo of Becky Hadeed kneading arepas dough

Welcome, Friend!

I’m Becky Hadeed, a mother to 4, curious home cook, lover of extraordinary light, and host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. I consider it a great honor that my guests entrust me with their stories and allow me photograph and share their most treasured family recipes.

More About Me ->

Most Popular Recipes

  • two slices of chewy golden nian gao on pink plate
    Baked Nian Gao: Glutinous Rice Cake (with Sticky Rice Flour)
  • hand holds flaky spiraled roti paratha (aka roti canai in malaysia) above lush green foliage.
    How to Make Flaky Roti Paratha (Malaysian Roti Canai)
  • pollo frito puerto rican fried chicken with no flour in basket lined with red checked napkin
    Pollo Frito: Puerto Rican Fried Chicken (Without Flour)
  • delicate white dish holds fish cooked in tomato sauce, topped with gently caramelized onons, dill and parsley
    Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Follow in Your Favorite Player

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts

Listen to the Latest

Featured Episodes

  • 058 "I Wanted Something Different" with Juan Salazar of La Coop Coffee
  • 022 "I am Piotr's Granddaughter" with Lydia Cottrell
  • 019 "We Were Not Leprosy" with Suwanee Lennon
  • 077 Arabic Feasts with My Husband, John Hadeed
  • Episodes
  • Recipes
  • Prints Shop
  • About
  • Contact

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Becky
  • How to Listen to The Storied Recipe Podcast
  • Reviews of The Storied Recipe
  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for weekly updates (and occasional gifts!)

Contact

  • Contact
  • Service
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Brunch Pro on the Feast Plugin