In brief
In the Kharkiv region, chef Yaroslav Breus revitalizes army meals with beloved Ukrainian dishes while facing the challenges of war.
Cooking for the frontline in Ukraine is no walk in the park. Chef Yaroslav Breus, a former contestant on “MasterChef Ukraine,” has exchanged forging culinary dreams for the stark reality of sustaining troops amid conflict. Following Russia's invasion in 2022, Breus finds himself cooking for soldiers in a military base where daily meals hinge on resilience and resourcefulness.Battling Russian strikes and challenging conditions, Breus and his team are dedicated to providing soldiers with home-cooked meals—today’s menu features pork steaks and traditional borscht. "This might be their last meal, given the circumstances," he remarks while whipping up a selection of comforting dishes, including beetroot salad and boiled potatoes drizzled with butter. Despite the chaos around them, the soldiers in the First Assault Battalion of the Third Assault Brigade are fortunate to enjoy relatively hearty meals, thanks to a chef who once brought joy to the TV screen and now serves up hope with every dish in a war-torn region.
