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A Ukrainian family that escaped their war-torn homeland with only five suitcases, leaving everything else they’ve worked so hard for behind, has begun sharing its culinary creations with the St. Vital community.

Olha Mashyna, her husband Oleksandr, their two children, and Oleksandr’s mother, Tamara, arrived in Winnipeg on March 21. They left behind loved ones, friends, and their dog, as well as the beer and grocery stores and café they owned and operated.

In less than six months since arriving in Winnipeg, Mashyna has been working hard on her English language skills — her first word of English was spoken at an airport in Germany en route to Manitoba. But the family’s culinary skills, exemplified by the nature of their businesses in Ukraine, stretch back a lot longer. On Sept. 16, the family took over the running of the Centre Ice Café at Dakota Community Centre.

“Canada is an amazing country,” Mashyna said on Sept. 20, days after the family opened for business in southeast Winnipeg, noting how grateful she is for all the support the family has received since arriving in the prairies.

“We had to leave Ukraine because the Russian terrorists came close to our village. We would hear big noises, and we knew we must leave,” she said.

After arriving in Winnipeg, and obtaining the necessary food-handling training certification, the husband-and-wife team eventually started cooking and selling Ukrainian food at a restaurant called Le Goûter in Albert Beach, Man., twice a week this summer, after the restaurant’s owner let them use the kitchen when it was closed.

The experience served to whet their appetites to continue cooking up a storm, and they are thrilled that Dakota’s board and CEO Michele Augert have given them the chance to keep their culinary adventures going. While it’s still early days, the family has been selling a mixture of Ukrainian fare and Canadian classics. In the former column, popular items so far include cabbage rolls, varenyky and a version of borscht that differs to the one made of beets. Theirs has a tomato base and includes meat and vegetables.

“For the kids, we’ve been making a lot of deep-fried perogies,” said Mashyna, whose family currently lives in Transcona. “I’ve learned that if you put them in the deep fryer, they’ll eat them,” she added, with a laugh.

As it turns out, Mashyna is also adapting to making helpings of chicken fingers and fries for local kids visiting the centre.

Mashyna said her own children are enjoying life at their new schools and have made some good friends.

“You can see the smiles on their faces,” she said.

Both her kids appear to have a work ethic and drive like their parents — her daughter was an award-winning gymnast in Ukraine and her son was a decorated boxer.

Augert said Dakota has entered into an arrangement with the family that encourages and supports them heavily, as they find their feet and make their mark.

“It’s a total win-win, and a unique model,” Augert said, noting that volunteers will likely support the family in the restaurant at certain times, depending on the occasion and the circumstances.

“We are just thrilled. The opportunity and timing came together so well. It’s great for both parties — we get to help them out and they get to help us out. This opens up so many potential future opportunities,” Augert added, noting how busy the centre becomes come October and indoor hockey season.

“They are really set up for success, and they are providing a much-needed and much-loved service.”

As things evolve at Centre Ice Café, its hours will inevitably be a bit fluid, but it’s currently open daily.

Visit dakotacc.com for more information.

Photo by Simon Fuller
Olha Mashyna, pictured here on Sept. 20, is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the residents of St. Vital and beyond.

Photo by Simon Fuller
From right: Olha Mashyna, her husband Oleksandr, and Oleksandr’s mother, Tamara, pictured in the kitchen of the Centre Ice Café at Dakota Community Centre, where they have started serving up Ukrainian and Canadian cuisine.