Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian StreetUkrainian chef Anna Voloshyna traveled across the diverse regions of her homeland—from the mountains to coastline, cities to grasslands, forests to wine country—collecting recipes, stories, and friendships to answer the question: What is Ukrainian cuisine?
Join us for a talk and signing with Anna to explore the appetizing and fascinating journey in her new book, Ukraïne: Recipes and Stories from Kyiv to the Black Sea!
In a conversation led by local cookbook author and food journalist Natalie Jesionka, we'll discuss the preservation of culinary heritage in tumultuous and violent times, the balance of old and new world cooking, the country's vast and varied landscape and the foods that define it, and much more.
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book. Prices are inclusive of fees. Entrance to the shop requires one step up. Please contact us at hello@bindingagentsphilly.com with any questions or accessibility needs; we'd be happy to help.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Experience the joy and resilience of Ukrainian cuisine in Ukraïne, a visually rich, travelogue-style cookbook filled with 100 traditional and modern recipes that highlight the comforting dishes, distinctive flavors, and time-honored techniques that make this food so extraordinary.
Vivid and poignant storytelling transports you to the boisterous streets of Kyiv where food carts sell aromatic sausages; to cool root cellars, a fixture in Ukrainian households, their walls stocked with jars of preserved and fermented deliciousness; and to the front line of the war where Voloshyna cooked a meal for fifty soldiers fighting for their country. Stunning photos bring you to the fields of sunflowers that blanket the steppe every summer; the shimmering waters of the Black Sea, brimming with marine life; and the imposing Carpathian peaks where flocks of sheep wander, their milk used to make beloved bryndza cheese. A treasure trove of recipes, drawn from all these places, bring a taste of Ukraine to your table.
At a critical juncture in the nation's history, this cookbook seeks to preserve Ukraine's rich culinary heritage. By documenting recipes along with countless stories and images in a lustrous package, Ukraïne captures the very essence of the place while offering an acknowledgment of the country's enduring spirit and a way to keep its culinary identity alive, preserving its past and ensuring its future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anna Voloshyna, chef, food stylist, and writer, was born and raised in Southern Ukraine and later immigrated to Oakland, California, with her husband. She teaches cooking classes in the Bay Area and hosts pop-up dinners focusing on Ukrainian food. Her first cookbook, Budmo!, featuring family recipes, was published in 2022.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR
Natalie Jesionka is the co-author of Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen and writes about food, community, and social impact. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Toronto Star, National Post, Canadian Press, and Philadelphia Magazine. She served as a Fulbright scholar in Northern Thailand and is a Paul and Daisy Soros fellow for New Americans. She’s currently working on her debut Polish-American cookbook, celebrating the flavors of her ancestral home through a first generation lens.
Wed, Dec 16, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian Street
Binding Agents is Philly's bookshop for cooks and eaters. Located in South Philly’s culinary epicenter, the 9th Street Italian Market, we’re your go-to source for new cookbooks and food-focused reads, plus gifts and goods for making, serving and enjoying. We’re independent, women-owned, fun & funky. Learn more at bindingagentsphilly.com.
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