This new downtown shop offers a taste of Ukraine

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine unleashed its fury, Tetiana Kopets and her family left their familiar life in Kyiv, to embark on a journey in Kelowna.

“We chose Kelowna because my husband before the war, has been to Kelowna a few times, and we also have friends here,” she told Kelowna10.

“When the war started, we moved to Canada because we have kids, and we need school.”

Several months after their arrival, Tetiana launched Ready To Cook on Canada Day, nestled within The District on Bernard Avenue.

It offers an assortment of items including perogies, cabbage rolls, and borsch - just to name a few.

Her venture not only extends a warm welcome to those displaced from Ukraine, but also embraces anyone who appreciates classic, comforting dishes.

It boasts a unique setup, with one section featuring all flash-frozen, ready to make items.

The other half provides an exclusive glimpse into the kitchen, where each item is meticulously prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

“You can see everything is clean [in the kitchen], and what ingredients and products we use,” she said. “You can see how everything is produced and have more trust these products.”

Kopets has also provided a positive opportunity to a lot of newcomers who immigrated from the Ukraine as a sense of familiarity.

“This is a very good opportunity for our people, a lot of newcomers came. And have some problems with the [English] language. In our place they can speak the Ukrainian language,” she said. “But because we start with Ukrainian products, pierogis, cabbage rolls, they understand how it works and it’s a good opportunity them.”