Culinary Activism Anna Voloshyna's Journey from Ukraine to California

Introducing Paula's Picks, a special series of archival episodes re-edited and re-released with updated context. 

This conversation about the power of food as an act of resistance with Anna Voloshyna originally aired May 8, 2025 and since then her new book, Ukraine: Recipes and Stories from Kyiv to the Black Sea, has been released. 

What does it mean to fight a war—with food?

In this episode, we meet Anna Voloshyna: chef, cookbook author, and passionate culinary activist. Born and raised in Ukraine and now based in California, Anna shares how her deep love of Ukrainian cuisine has become a powerful tool for cultural preservation and resistance amid war.

From feeding soldiers on the frontlines in bulletproof vests to writing cookbooks that celebrate regional Ukrainian dishes, Anna’s story is a moving example of how food can connect, heal, and inspire action. Her journey is equal parts resilience, community, and unwavering pride.

We talk about:

• Ukraine’s food renaissance—and how chefs are modernizing traditional dishes

• What it’s like to cook for 50 soldiers near the frontline, explosions in the distance

• How Anna’s first cookbook BUDMO! became a fundraising tool before it even launched

Whether you're a food lover, cultural explorer, or just looking to understand the world through a more human lens, this episode will move you. Anna’s story reminds us that even in war, food can nourish both body and soul.

Host: Paula Mohammed 

Editor: Abigail Cerquitella

FEATURED RECIPE: UKRAINIAN RED BORSCHT

Click here for Anna's original recipe!

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