4 things to know about Cossack Cuisine
The UK's pioneer of fresh Russian food where ever!
The 1st chef in the UK to offer fresh handmade food from all around the former Soviet Union, like the hearty dishes from the west, to spicy dishes from the south – all for enjoying anywhere ! Our premises, your place & our outside events . Video profile
Serving healthy & locally sourced ingredients=
Without compromising on the authentic delicious taste, we deliberately augment the food with superfoods & highly nutritious natural ingredients bought locally. Non-meat & now vegan & gluten-free foods feature on our expanding menu.
Delighting British folk with a new foreign cuisine
‘You’re different and not what I expected – but in a good way!’ – say our growing fan base for a range of savoury and sweet Russian foods that they had never tasted before now. We always have samples from the day’s menu to try.
...and earning your praise
A big thanks to all our customers who have tried our food – sat down, on-the-go, at home, where ever!. They have been generous in their praise! We feel inspired to continue to add new Russian items to our growing menu – check out our customer’s reviews
The Origins of Cossack Cuisine
Leeza says: ‘Back in St. Petersburg, where I was born I have my famous musical family to thank for my baking career. I grew up with a mum, grandmother and grandfather who were a celebrated concert pianist, conductor and choirmaster respectively. I was the black sheep of the family – musically illiterate but with such a desire to impress my gifted family with my own talents. With my grandfather’s guidance, I turned my hands to conducting the ingredients of our pantry. I quickly learned how to please people’s mouths as opposed to their ears! As the only non-musician in the family, baking became an expression of my creativity and today it has become my forte!’
Why call it ‘Cossack Cuisine’?
The Cossacks played an important role in the historical development of both Ukraine and Russia. During their raids in Turkey and Persia, the Cossacks picked up the customs of European, Caucasian and Oriental culture, including cuisine culture.
Thanks to the Cossacks, today’s Russian cuisine owes its excellence to the food heritage of the vast and multi-cultural expanse of former Soviet states – a food heritage that Leeza Murina has incorporated into her own Cossack Cuisine experience.
What food do I make?
Quite varied. Sweet and savoury. Low fat to rich and delicious. Simple to complex dishes. Meat-based to vegetarian. 5 minute to six-hour creations. Traditional Russian cuisines drawn from the former Soviet states – but always modified with my personal touch.
We are on a quest to break stereotypes about Russian food and show the world that Russian delicacies are not limited to caviar and vodka. The food that I make takes in flavours from all around the former Soviet Union, from hearty dishes from the west, to spicy dishes from the south. My ‘Cossack Cuisine’ is food with a Russian accent. It offers you, an adventurous foodie, a fresh and exciting opportunity to explore an unknown territory of true Russian cuisine, and a chance to finally dispel the myth of Russian food of being boring, uninspiring and bland!
My signature dish – ‘St. Petersburg Pie’
The recipe I use is exactly the same as my great-great-grandmother created in the 1800’s in St. Petersburg. I still serve it 150+ years later to members of my family and friends – and now the people of Sheffield and much farther afield”.
What makes our food different?
It looks different and appetising.
– the unexpected combinations of ingredients
– the explicit Russian heritage of the recipes
– the clearly hand-crafted appearance
– the unusual cooking processes employed
– the proven health benefits of the food itself
Why do people buy my food?
Besides being different and delicious – Western & Asian cuisines are old hat. People are looking for a new authentic food experience. My food provides that as few people have been to Russia. Our 1st time customers tell us our food is not only something they have never experienced but that it looks so different and appetising.
My food mission
My savoury pies and celebration gateaux offer an adventurous food enthusiast a fresh and exciting opportunity – to explore an unknown territory of true Russian cuisine.
I am on a mission to bring the food of my country to those who haven’t had the opportunity to travel to Russia.
