About Me
Hi! My name is Olena. I’ve always been passionate about food. After I finished school, I studied politology in Poland and then marketing in Prague, Czech Republic, but I always wanted to work with food. I spent hundreds of hours learning and trying recipes, watching courses on YouTube, and reading books from famous chefs. In 2018, when I got a master’s degree, I decided it was time to pursue my real passion. I went to Italy to study at the Italian Chef Academy in Rome. I already had a strong base in pastry, but I still learned so much there! Italian cuisine is all about flavor!
Once I finished my pastry course, I went back to Prague and started to work at MANU, one of the best Italian restaurants in Prague founded by Emanuele Ridi, a celebrity TV chef. Working as a pastry chef, I was allowed to create my own pastry menu, which was changing from season to season. It was such a great experience because at MANU I was allowed to work with the best ingredients, most of which came directly from Italy. This is when I realized that to make delicious food you must never compromise about ingredients.
Working at MANU was a great experience for me, but I felt a strong need to try something on my own. In 2019 I launched a pastry shop in Prague called Bake Alaska. I focused on Italian and French pastries, but I also made cakes. A LOT OF CAKES! I was already confident in my techniques and flavors, so I focused on the visual side of baking.
In my spare time, I also learned to cook savory food. My absolute favorite is Italian cuisine, but I also like to make Mexican and Balkan food. Besides, I’m proud of my Ukrainian heritage and I cook our traditional Ukrainian cuisine.
Now I’m a mom. I had to switch my focus to other things, but my passion for fine food remains. I started this blog so I can share delicious recipes to help you cook and eat fancy in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy!
