The Secret Ingredients of Success

Stories from the World’s Best Chefs

The Food’n’Chef Project aims to highlight those who usually remain behind the scenes — the chefs. Every day, we dine in cafés, restaurants, and bistros, interacting mostly with waiters and managers. Yet, the true creators of our meals often go unnoticed. This project is my way of giving them the recognition they deserve, showcasing their talent and the incredible dishes they create.

This is a one-of-a-kind initiative. I travel the world, sharing stories of top chefs and the masterpieces they craft. Each tale unveils fascinating details about the chef’s journey and features their signature dish, bringing their passion and creativity to light.

Viktor Prodanov

Born and raised in Odessa, Viktor Prodanov traded a life at sea for a passion for cooking. A navigator turned chef, he brings adventure, tradition, and bold creativity to every dish. For him, food is more than flavor—it’s a story, a craft, and a way to bring people together....
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Sergey Neboga

For 13 years, this chef has been bringing people joy through food, proudly wearing his cook’s hat at Pomodoro since its founding. Passionate about global cuisines and always seeking innovation, he dreams of creating a truly unique dish. Cooking isn’t just his job—it’s his greatest hobby and lifelong calling....
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Aleksey Shvets

Aleksey "Lyosha" Shvets turned his lifelong passion for cooking into a career of creativity and discovery. Now a culinary school host and food stylist, he shares his expertise and explores new flavors worldwide....
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Sergey Savenko

Sergey Savenko, chef at Marokana, crafts delightful dishes inspired by his passion for cooking and global experiences, especially his time in Japan. His goal is to create unforgettable culinary experiences for every guest....
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Oleg Pashkevich

At 28, chef and sushi master, born in Odessa, began his culinary journey by apprenticing with a renowned Japanese sushi master in Kyiv. Now at Sushi360, he creates innovative sushi with a passion for quality ingredients and follows Kashrut laws, offering guests a unique blend of Japanese, Thai, and Odessa...
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Sergey Kalinin

At 40, culinary journalist and passionate home cook, I believe in cooking healthy and tasty meals at home instead of relying on ready-to-eat food. With a lifelong love for cooking, my culinary community, iCook, encourages others to embrace the joy of home cooking. My dishes are inspired by global flavors,...
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Sergei Ponomariov

At 36, I’ve spent 20 years in the restaurant business, starting as a young cook in a pioneer camp and working my way up through various kitchens. I’m passionate about simple, creative dishes that highlight local ingredients, and my favorite cuisine is Italian. Traveling, understanding different national cuisines, and experimenting...
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Aleksandr Kasian

For nearly 25 years, I’ve been creating pastries and desserts, turning my childhood curiosity into a lifelong passion. From my first experiments with dough to crafting grand, intricate cakes over a meter high, baking has always been my art. Today, as a pastry chef and consultant, I continue to push...
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Nina Popova

At 54, I’ve spent 9 years as a cook, with a milestone being my role as the chef at Café “Centaur.” My passion for cooking began in childhood and led me back to it after trying other professions. Ukrainian cuisine is close to my heart, and I love experimenting with...
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Murat Kaçmaz

I’ve been in the Tantuni business since 1999 and a chef for the past seven years. For me, cooking is all about connection—I treat my customers like friends, making every day fun. Tantuni is not just my favorite dish, but a rare Turkish specialty, and I’m proud to share its...
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