Olia Hercules' Storecupboard

These are the Sous Chef ingredients Olia keeps in her storecupboard. Olia Hercules brings the soul of Ukrainian cooking to British kitchens with warmth, authenticity, and deep cultural pride. Born in Kakhovka in southern Ukraine, Olia trained at Leiths before working as chef de partie at Ottolenghi, but it's her connection to her homeland that truly defines her cooking.

Her debut cookbook "Mamushka" won the Fortnum & Mason Award for Best Debut Cookbook, introducing readers to the rich culinary traditions of Eastern Europe through family recipes and stories. This was followed by "Kaukasis," exploring the diverse cuisines of Georgia and Azerbaijan, and "Summer Kitchens," celebrating outdoor cooking traditions.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Olia co-founded #CookForUkraine, a global initiative that has raised over £2 million for humanitarian aid. Her work earned recognition from Vogue UK as one of their Most Influential Women of 2022, plus awards from 50 Best Restaurants and the Guild of Food Writers.

Olia's cooking is deeply rooted in memory and tradition - from childhood meals under her grandmother's walnut tree to recreating festive Ukrainian kalach bread in her East London home. Her recipes don't just feed the body; they preserve culture, tell stories, and create the kind of table where families gather to laugh, cry, and remember.