Olia Hercules
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olia Hercules (born 1984)[1] is a London-based Ukrainian chef, food writer and food stylist. In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine she initiated a programme of fundraising, for individuals and for UNICEF.
Olia Hercules was born in Kakhovka, in the South of Ukraine.[1] She moved to Cyprus at the age of 12 where the climate was deemed better for her asthma[2] and went to an English school. She settled in the United Kingdom at the age of 18 to study international relations and Italian at Warwick University before obtaining a master's degree.[3]
Work
Hercules began working as a film journalist but amidst the 2008 economic crisis decided to change careers. Olia trained at Leith's School of Food and Wine,[4] then worked as a food stylist for various publications,[5] after which she went on to work at London restaurant Ottolenghi's as a chef-de-partie (line cook).[6][7]
Hercules has appeared on Saturday Kitchen,[8][9] Sunday Brunch,[10] and Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Television.
Books
She has written four cookbooks, including Mamushka which is a collection of Eastern European recipes.[11]
- Mamushka: Recipes From Ukraine & Beyond (Octopus Publishing, 2015)[12]
- Kaukasis: The Cookbook – A Journey Through the Wild East (Octopus Publishing, 2017)[11]
- Summer Kitchens Inside Ukraine's Hidden Places of Cooking and Sanctuary (Weldon Owen, July 14, 2020)[13]
- Home Food (Bloomsbury Publishing, 7 July 2022)[14]
- Strong Roots (Bloomsbury Publishing, 19 June 2025)[15]
Activism
In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hercules raised money to privately send bullet-proof vests to civilian volunteers in the Ukrainian army, including her brother.[16] With her friend, Alissa Timoshkina, the duo established the #CookForUkraine social media initiative, encouraging businesses and individuals to raise money for UNICEF and Legacy of War Foundation by cooking Ukrainian cuisine.[17][18][19] The project has raised over £2 million for UNICEF, Choose Love and the Legacy of War Foundation.[20] In 2023, Olia and Alissa set up Ukraine Hub to provide free workshops for displaced Ukrainians in the UK.
Awards
- The Observer Rising Star in Food 2015
- Winner of Fortnum & Mason's Debut Food Book Award 2016
- Champions of Change for #CookForUkraine [21]
- Observer Food Monthly Editor's Award 2022 for #CookForUkraine [22]
- The Guild of Food Writer's Special Award 2023 for #CookForUkraine [23]
