Adventures in the Slavic Kitchen: A Book of Essays with Recipes is a cultural study of the role food plays in the formation and expression of a nation’s character. It focuses primarily on the Russian and Ukrainian kitchens but discusses them in the context of international food practices.
Endorsements and Review Quotes
“Igor Klekh’s Adventures in the Slavic Kitchen sets out to woo the reader by offering a continuous stream of culinary ponderings, somewhat in the style of one of Gogol’s narrators. For Klekh, ‘Slavic’ comprehends Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Moldovan, and Polish food – a real banquet. Klekh appeals loquaciously to the reader, with ebullient asides and advisory interjections.” Cathy McAteer, East-West Review
“Ably translated into English by the team of Slava I. Yastremski and Michael M. Naydan, “Adventures in the Slavic Kitchen: A Book of Essays with Recipes” by Igor Klekh will have immense and special appeal for academia and non-specialist general readers with an interest in contemporary Russian culinary culture.”
Midwest Book Review
“Igor Klekh’s poignant, humorous, and authentic (at least to this reader) voice is translated by Slava [Yastremski] and Michael Naydan into an entertaining read about Slavic food.”
Megan McIntyre, Portland Book Review
“With a style that has been compared to Jorge Luis Borges, and covering topics from hangover cookery to the political significance of the sausage in Ukraine, Klekh’s essays make for a highly amusing and informative read – a literary feast, if you will.”
Matthew Janney, Culture Trip