This episode was first released in May of last year, only three months into the Ukraine/Russia conflict/war. Kyiv had already experienced a few missile strikes, but it felt to everyobne that the coming spring would be somewhat normal. But, here we are nearly one year later wirh thousands of deaths, destroyed infrastucture and familys. Ive been trying to get hold of Maria, but sketchy Wi-Fi and her constant movement to find safety has made reconnecting very difficult. So in retrospect and to keep awarenss high in an effort to help my friends in Ukraine here is a conversation of resilence and hope.

From the May, 2022 posting;

Maria Banlko is just one of the hospitality people that are the lesser-known heroes of the Ukrainian war with Russia. These restaurant industry veterans are trying to hold their country together with the guts to stay in place and keep their lights on. They’re using their hospitality instincts to find ways to keep their business running while organizing volunteer kitchens that feed their neighbors, the front-line workers in hospitals and clinics and the military whenever they needed it. The voice you heard at the top is Maria Banko. She’s an outspoken, determined woman working with a multi-concept company called The Gastro Family of Restaurants.

Maria is their communications director handling public relations for the constantly pivoting restaurant company while sometimes volunteering in one of the Gastro Family kitchens to help box a few meals, to be delivered to various organizations in need of food. She passionately describes the reasons and results of the war as she sees it.

We came out with so much material I’ve created a special episode with the rest of our conversation on the how essential the food culture will be in re-building the country after the war. It will be posted soon.

 Podcast Music:

Moonlight Night – Traditional Ukrainian Folk Song

Bright Flow – William Benkert

Break The Barrier – Edgar Hopp