After ‘tasting’ success Ukrainian refugees are looking to take the next steps by starting a business.

The Weymouth-based group of refugees cooked and served delicious traditional Ukrainian dishes at St Mary’s Church in Weymouth town centre on two open taster days in February.

These tasters proved a brilliant success with hundreds of people attending over the two Saturdays and now the ladies from the Ukrainian Cooking Project - also known as Kossak’s Vareniks - are looking at the next step, starting a business in Weymouth.

Dorset Echo:

Project leader Nataliia Starostina said: “Most Ukrainians – and me too – are faced with the difficulties now of finding a good job because of language issues.

"I have worked as a manager in Ukraine, I like cooking and know a lot of really authentic recipes. So I decided to try making my own project. I have invited some Ukrainians who have the same hobby and like cooking and we have created our own small team.

"We have been very happy and are looking for ways to develop the project. We believe that we are able to cook and sell traditional Ukrainian food.

"We are looking for a suitable café or a kitchen. I hope in future we will grow and be able to give a job to other Ukrainians too."

Neil Biles, Town Centre Chaplain based at St Mary’s Church, and Retired Weymouth Teacher Andy Dukes, who worked to support the events, both spoke of how amazing the food was and how hard and effectively the Ukrainian women worked.

Dorset Echo:

Mr Dukes said, “To my shame, I am a childish and fussy eater, and this Ukrainian food was full of vegetables and healthy stuff.

“However, I tried all the dishes presented, savoury and sweet, and was blown away by how delicious they were. I would recommend Ukrainian food to anyone.”

The dishes were handmade, using authentic Ukrainian recipes and only natural ingredients. There was no charge for the food, but donations were received.

These culinary events were preliminary trials to see how people responded and, as they proved so successful, the Ukrainian ladies are looking to develop a local business by developing a Weymouth-based Ukrainian food outlet.

Dorset Echo:

They will be holding talks with Neil Biles and others at St Mary’s Church to explore the possibility of occasional similar events.

However, the Ukrainians would much prefer to find their own catering premises, or perhaps, a shared arrangement, in order to create a full-time Ukrainian café serving these traditional dishes.

Please contact Andy Dukes at andybraces@aol.com if you can help in any way. If you know of or own premises that may be available; or if you might be interested in sharing an existing food outlet.