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Photos by Andre Gagne and courtesy of Tim Wasylko
The Capital Ukrainian Festival just got tastier before the gates even open with the inclusion of a special presentation on Ukrainian cuisine by award winning Chef Tim Wasylko. The event will be part of the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum’s Global Tastes International Food Night on June 22, 2017.
Having been born and raised in a Ukrainian family, Wasylko brings his lifelong insight to the table along with many other delectables. As a youngster he’d help his mother and grandmother make perogies, something he looks back on as sparking a passion for food that continues today. Honing his craft by working in various restaurants and kitchens early on, he’d go on to study in Algonquin College’s Culinary Program before heading westward as Chef de Partie at the Canadian Pacific Château Whistler Resort.
From one mountain to another, Wasylko later moved to Mont-Tremblant to become the Executive Chef at the Château Beauvallon, a small inn he also managed with his wife. Back on the move, he now headed south to Toluca, Mexico utilizing his skills as Chef Instructor at the Escuela Culinaria Internacional. He’d return to Canada once again to teach and eventually become Chef to the Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Canada.
He calls this a highlight of his career.
“My favourite way to cook is to hit the market, farm stand or store and come straight to the kitchen. I really love to cook from the heart, for me food is attached to memories and emotions,” Wasylko once told WOW – That was Quebec!
Getting to see a culinary master in action is a treat and those who attend the workshop will get to see Wasylko’s prepare some of the staples of Ukrainian food. He’ll be making varenyky (perogies), holubtsi (cabbage rolls) and borsch (beet soup). Along with these dishes attendees will be served a fine helping of Ukrainian hospitality not to mention award winning kovbasa and other Ukrainian delicacies.
Those unfamiliar with Ukrainian cuisine will learn quickly how much a part of the culture, lifestyle and customs food can be. Formed over many centuries, it is considered one of the most diverse culinary cultures on the planet and dishes are usually served in generous quantities. Vegetables play an important part of any Ukrainian meal, especially beetroot.
Those attending will feel as though they have walked into a traditional Ukrainian homestead as the event will feature traditional decorations, embroidery and artifacts from Ukraine. Festival President (and acting Sous Chef that evening) Jane Kolbe promises it will feel as though “people have stepped into another world.”
To further accentuate this, Kolbe is bringing in Ottawa-based Ukrainian Canadian violinist Carissa Klopoushak, a member of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ukrainian turbo-folk band Tyt i Tam to entertain guests as they arrive.
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is on 901 Prince of Wales Drive and the event lasts from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Note, it’s only open to 60 people so it’s best to register early for a cost of $25. Aside from sampling some of the great food, guests will also get to take home all the recipes.
Need more great food with some sides of music, dance and art? The Capital Ukrainian Festival returns to 952 Green Valley Crescent from July 21-23, 2017.
More information on the festival can be found at:
Capitalukrainianfestival.com
