I am a culinary writer, traveler, and home cook currently working on one of the most ambitious cookbook projects to emerge from the Odesan diaspora—a collection of recipes and family stories from 100 Odesans now living around the world.
I was born into a fourth-generation Odesan family. The sea was always part of my life, and photography and cooking were woven into everyday family traditions. My father, who once dreamed of becoming a sailor, spent weekends walking along the shoreline in his striped naval shirt with a camera in hand. He taught me how to take photographs and, more importantly, how to notice things—the play of light, the meeting of cultures, the way people cook, talk, and shop. Perhaps that is why I have always thought of Odesa as a “little America,” a city shaped by many nationalities and traditions.
For many years I worked in the food and hospitality industry, collaborating with leading figures from the worlds of tableware, wine, and gastronomy, including Lord Wedgwood, Wendelin von Boch, Georg Riedel, and chef Davy Tissot. These experiences deepened my understanding of food culture and strengthened my belief in the important role food plays in bringing people together.
My passion for culinary education led me to establish Odesa’s first cooking school, which quickly became a popular destination for classes, tastings, and community events. I was later invited to participate in the European Union’s Geographical Indication project, helping to develop Ukraine’s first food and wine route. For several years I also guided culinary tours through Bessarabia, introducing travelers to the region’s unique cuisine and traditions.
After moving to the United Kingdom in 2014, I began organizing gastronomic excursions, ranging from educational programs at Fortnum & Mason in London to tours across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. These journeys included visits to vineyards, farms, cheesemakers, and distilleries, with many groups staying at Eastnor Castle while exploring the history and food culture of the region. During this period, I also wrote for travel publications about culinary destinations, their histories, and local traditions.
When the pandemic began, I volunteered at Carousel in London, helping prepare meals for hospitals. Together with Ukrainian baker Mykola Nevrev, I also launched an online cooking and bread-baking school to support hospitality professionals who had lost their jobs. In 2021, I helped create the “Best Riedel Glass for Odesa Black” initiative to promote Ukrainian winemaking. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I founded the nonprofit organization Bake for Ukraine to help address food shortages caused by the war.
Today I divide my time between Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. I continue to volunteer, write, cook, and work to preserve and promote the culinary heritage of my beloved Odesa.
Connect with me: mkalenskaya@gmail.com