Chef Oleg Shcherbakov shared his thoughts on his growing food business, Authentic Eats:
“I love sharing the genuine joy I feel when making my food and value creating authentic experiences that showcase the diverse flavors of traditional foods from different regions of the world. By using local and traditional ingredients, making these dishes becomes a creative endeavor. My love for travel and meeting people from different parts of the world drives me, as I believe that delicious food brings people together. My goal is to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation for different cultures through the food I make, while also fostering connections and memorable experiences for our customers and our community.”
Chef continues, “Growing up in the Western Ukrainian city of Uzhgorod, near Hungary and Slovakia, I was raised on a unique cuisine shaped by the ebbs and flows of history. My menu reflects this diverse and rich history, with influences spanning Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. I’m committed to authenticity and craftsmanship, creating each dish with love, care, and attention, using traditional recipes and cooking methods passed down through generations. Whenever possible, I cook over an open flame, which imparts a smokiness to the food that can’t be replicated with other cooking methods.”
“Cooking has been an integral part of my life since childhood. I grew up watching my mother expertly whip up feasts from her collection of handwritten recipes, a cherished family heirloom passed down through generations. I vividly remember standing on a chair to reach the cookbook when she was at work, poring over recipes, and replicating dishes with the ingredients we had on hand. This early experience ignited a lifelong passion for creative cooking and exploring diverse culinary traditions and I began pursuing cooking professionally when I turned 25 and moved to the States.”
“BTW, we do source some of our ingredients from our colleagues at CHFM. While some of our more obscure ingredients must come from specialty vendors, we do our best to buy local, seasonal produce and meats. We believe in supporting our community and our fellow vendors, who offer the high-quality ingredients we need to make the best food possible.”
“We love to share the rich history and cultural significance behind each dish we create. We encourage folks to stop by and ask about our fare, and to check out our website, www.authentic-eats.com. There, they can explore our offerings and reach out with questions about catering services, private dinner parties, cocktail parties, and any future events. We have worked with a wide variety of clients and partners and offer diverse menu options based on our clients’ needs. We would love to bring an authentic experience to your next event.”
“We welcome orders from customers who wish to pick up our delicious offerings at the market. They can contact us at info@authentic-eats.com. We require a 48-hour notice to ensure we have enough inventory, as we make our food from scratch for each event we participate in. Customers can also reach out to inquire about catering services, future events, and cooking classes. We offer diverse menu options, from delicious hors d’oeuvres and appetizers to more elaborate dishes and desserts.”
