As part of the Ukraine Project, Archaeology Now presents another of its Culinary Adventures, “In Baba’s Kitchen,” a unique cooking class and tasting event led by the Ukrainian team of husband-and-wife chefs Bek Mamat and Irina Mamataliyev and noted Houston and Czechoslovakian-born chef Monica Pope, who will teach participants how to make borsch and pierogi and the proper way to drink vodka. Guests will be welcomed by the Ukrainian Consul General, The Honorable Vitalii Tarasiuk.

The event will begin with instruction on the proper way to taste vodka, traditionally accompanied by pickles. The borsch and pierogi cooking demonstration follows and then, the class of “culinary students” will feast on the results, accompanied by more vodka. The chefs will answer any questions about the class, as well as mix and mingle with the guests.

Houston businessman Steven Givot will give a brief presentation about his life-changing experience of cooking with World Central Kitchen at the Polish-Ukrainian border shortly after the war started in 2022. Guests will have the option to make a donation to World Central Kitchen to help continue its work in Ukraine. WCK is often first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.