Overland Park cooking class on Ukrainian food raises funds for relief

A special cooking class was held Wednesday in Overland Park with the goal of teaching some traditional Ukrainian dishes and raising money for humanitarian relief.”You get to practice as you go,” said Tonda Edwards.Edwards admitted that she’s not real familiar when it comes to cooking traditional Ukrainian food.That’s one of the many reasons why Edwards wanted to take the cooking class, but she said she also wanted to help.”We have to show support in big ways and small ways like these events,” she said.It’s called Tasting Ukraine. The group said one of the best ways to understand a culture is through its food.The Culinary Center of Kansas City hosted the special event.”It’s scary, it’s real and if we can do one little thing tonight by bringing awareness, that’s what we’re here to do,” said chef Jill Garcia Schmidt, of the Culinary Center of Kansas City.Along with the cooking, the group also shared stories about the food and some history behind it. They said food is a bond that can bring people together and that’s the real goal.”Food unites and I want everyone to feel that we are all connected,” said organizer Lyuda Stewart.It’s food that touches the soul.”I am also from Ukraine, so this is something that it’s important for me to be here,” said Nataliya Borth, who took the class.Everything raised on Wednesday night is going to the international charity World Central Kitchen, which is trying to feed those affected by the war in Ukraine.”Every single day we wake up hoping that our families are safe,” said Lyda.