With conditions worsening overseas in Ukraine, these Toronto chefs have decided to combine their talents and assets with a night of food and community this coming Monday to raise funds and gather donations for Ukrainians escaping Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The day after Russia’s invasion commenced on Feb. 24, Chef Matt Dean Pettit and his business partner, Milosz Malycha, realized the severity of the situation and began to conceptualize Chef’s For Ukraine. The pair run a virtual ghost kitchen, Coast by MDP, operating out of the seafood restaurant Pearl Diver, situated in Toronto’s King East neighbourhood, where the event will be held.
“We knew we had to do something. We know what we do best is to bring people together around food, love and sharing of good energy. So we saw things develop really fast and we saw how bad the tragedy was in Ukraine, and knew we had to act pretty soon,” Pettit says.
A number of Toronto chefs and others wanting to contribute have joined the pair in their efforts by offering their goods or services. A few key contributors include Alex MacDougall, a partner at Pearl Diver, Paul Boehmer, owner of Ossington's beloved Boehmer, Rory White, Eli Cami, Rodney Bowers, and a co-worker of Pettit and professor at Centennial College, Anna Voblaia.
Voblaia has watched her hometown Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, “essentially be wiped away,” as Pettit says. It has been the target of heavy shelling since the beginning of the invasion, and it is now estimated that, from an initial population of 1.8 million, only around 500,000 residents remain in the city.
“Her family is still there. Her mother is still there. It just hit home for all of us that we needed to do something. So Anna's helping us put this on, in really strong partnership with the Ukrainian community,” he says.
No reservations are needed to attend the event on Monday as anyone can drop in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees can sit down for a $30 plate piled high with a wide selection of Ukrainian foods or grab a drink from their cash bar paired with authentic Ukrainian appetizers that will be passed around.
On the one-night-only menu, you'll find a slew of items to choose from:
Shared Appetizers:
- Fresh Oysters - Beet Kvass & Horseradish Mignonette
- Assorted Canapés on Rye Bread Squares - Chicken Liver Pate,
- Goat Cheese & Cucumber,
- Salo & Pickle (Pork Crackling Spread)
- Beet with Pickled Herring
“Taste of Ukraine” Plate:
- Vegetarian Pierogis with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
- Sauerkraut Salad
- Traditional Hot Borcht Soup
- Brined Dill Pickles
- Grilled Ukrainian Sausage and Sautéed Onions
- Rye Bread
- Assorted Cuts of Kielbasa
Beverage Options:
- Wine
- Zirkova Ukrainian Premium Vodka
- Four Fathers Brewing Shevchenko 9 Craft Beer
- PowerPlant Superfoods Organic Coffee
- Sparkling Waters
There will also be raffle tickets available for purchase thanks to the numerous food and beverage companies across Canada that have rallied behind Pettit and Malycha’s efforts by offering prize donations––ranging from craft beer, clothing and coffee, to Raptors tickets.
One hundred per cent of proceeds from the event, both monetary and tangible donations, will be sent to the frontlines in Poland through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia, from which they will make their way to Ukraine.
A few important items needed for humanitarian relief include; coloured duct tape, construction gloves, emergency blankets, flashlights, sleeping bags, tents, candles and brand new thermal clothes. Every contribution matters, big or small.
“Everyone has been extremely united and shared one voice. It’s been a family. Everybody in this situation right now is Ukrainian. It doesn't matter if you're from Texas, Baltimore or downtown Toronto. This is a fight against democracy. It's a fight against innocent people. The world just can't sit by and watch. So we all have to do something,” Pettit says.
The event will take place inside Pearl Diver at 100 Adelaide Street East. Anyone wanting to attend that isn’t able to make it but would still like to donate can send their donation through an e-transfer to anna.voblaia@gmail.com. Funds will be forwarded with all other proceeds to Ukraine through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia.
