While still reeling from the last wave of Covid, the hospitality industry has stepped up to help Ukraine in a big way, largely under the umbrella campaign #CookForUkraine. The campaign was started by NEXTGen London, Ukrainian-born chef Olia Hercules, her friend and fellow food writer Alissa Timshkona, and food influencer Clerkenwell Boy.
All proceeds go to UNICEF UK's Ukraine appeal to help support children and families. Over £100,000 has been raised already, and the movement shows no sign of slowing down. The campaign's predecessor, #CookForSyria, raised over £1,000,000 through cake sales, supper clubs and recipe books. To donate now, simply visit the CookForUkraine Just Giving page.
The Cook for Ukraine campaign has quickly gained momentum, with hundreds of restaurants and bars doing their bit. Many are adding an extra £1 to the bill for the rest of March, which will be donated to help Ukraine, while others have stopped stocking Russian products such as vodka. Polish club Ognisko Polskie has even created a cocktail called ‘The Zelenskyy’, to raise money, and will host a fundraising night later this month. Other restaurants are running charity auctions to win a meal for two, a night at a hotel or even a year of free pizza. There are new ice cream flavours in the works and dishes to celebrate Ukrainian ingredients such as salo (a compressed fat akin to the Italian lardo).
Here is a list of restaurants, bars and hotels doing their bit to help Ukraine. The list is by no means exhaustive, and we will be adding to it as more venues join the effort. There are also many non-restaurant Cook for Ukraine campaigns, such as supper clubs, cooking classes and more.
Restaurants hosting a special event for #CookForUkraine
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City Social - Jason Atherton is hosting a fundraising dinner on 27 June at his Michelin-starred restaurant with guest chefs including Ukrainian chef Yurii Kovryzhenko
Drunken Butler - Owner of the Drunken Butler Yuma Hashemi is to do an evening event at the restaurant with all profits going to #CookForUkraine
Townsend - Modern British restaurant Townsend is hosting a special dinner with guest chefs
The Gibson and Coupette - both bars are running fundraising events in partnership with Dima's Vodka on 16 and 20 March respectively
Restaurants that have created a special dish for #CookForUkraine
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Ave Mario, Circolo Populare, Gloria - The trio of restaurants run by the Big Mamma group have introduced a new garlicky bruschetta to their menus featuring Ukrainian salo, with freshly chopped herbs and a shot of vodka (pictured above)
Gelupo - Famous gelato makers Gelupo have made a new Ukraine-inspired ice cream flavour
Koya - Japanese restaurant Koya has made a Ukraine-inspired green borsch udon with onsen tamago
Officina 00 - Pasta specialists Officina 00 are recreating the Ukrainian half-moon dumpling called vareniki in their restaurant
Sabor - Nieves Barragan and José Etura's Spanish restaurant is serving a special cocktail and a new dish which is TBC
Haché - The popular burger chain has created the Babushka burger in partnership with Alissa Tomishkina
RAI - This Japanese fine dining restaurant has created a special four-course menu, 100% of the proceeds from which go to the cause
Restaurants running a charity raffle for #CookForUkraine
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Paradise Soho - Sri Lankan restaurant Paradise Soho is offering up a prize of dinner for two
The Doyle Collection - The Doyle Collection - which owns The Marylebone, The Bloomsbury and The Kensington hotels - has donated a prize of a hotel room across each hotel
The Water House Project - Chef Gabriel Waterhouse's Bethnal Green-based restaurant has donated a prize of dinner for two
Yard Sale - Pizza favourites Yard Sale have a whole year of free pizzas up for grabs
Restaurants adding donations to the bill for #CookForUkraine
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Throughout March many of London and the UK's most-loved restaurants will be helping the Cook for Ukraine appeal by adding a voluntary donation onto their bills. Restaurants and diners will be able to choose to add £1, £2 or £5 from every meal which will go directly to the fundraising efforts. Here's a list of the restaurants currently taking part at last check:
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