YURII KOVRYZHENKO | World-famous Chef & Representative for Ukraine|is announced as an official AMBASSADOR OF TASTE FOR THE GLOBAL GASTRONOMY® GOLD MEDALLIST 2021

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"Yurii Kovryzhenko, the culinary diplomat..."

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In 2012 Iurii launched the Ukrainian restaurant "Kobzar" in Tbilisi where he became the head chef. He spent two years in Georgia during which time he helped to popularize Ukrainian cuisine in the Caucasus region.

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In 2014 Iurii returned to Ukraine and moved from Kyiv to Lviv. For five years he headed up Lviv's high-end gourmet restaurant "Vintage Noveau", attached to the Vintage Hotel.

In 2016 Iurii joined the Committee of the Chefs World Summit (Monte Carlo) becoming a permanent member as well as an annual event speaker.

Between 2016-2018 Iurii was an invited speaker at the Creative Chefs Summit in Kyiv.

For three years in a row (2017-2019), Iurii represented Ukraine at the World Gourmet Summit (Singapore).

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Since 2019 Iurii has been the culinary brand ambassador of "Herbalife Nutrition" in Ukraine.

In 2019 Iurii acted as a TV host in the Ukrainian TV Show "Dish of Honor" (aired on STB).

Since 2020 Iurii has been running the radio broadcast "Smart Cuisine" (Radio Skovoroda).

Since 2020 Iurii has been a brand-ambassador for "TORK" in Ukraine. In the same year Iurii also became the brand-chef for the Italian restaurant chain "D'Arte" in Riga, Latvia and president of "Bocuse d'Or Ukraine" – the Ukrainian branch of one of the most prestigious culinary competitions in the world.

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For many years now Iurii has been an active supporter of the Slow Food movement. He attended the "Slow Food Terra Madre" in Turin (2016, 2018). He is also one the co-founders of the Slow Food Chefs' Alliance in Ukraine.

Iurii works with Ukrainian farmers and local producers helping to promote Ukrainian produce to an international audience.

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In 2019 and as part of a feature interview for the Michelin Red Guide, Iurii covered the topic of modernising Ukrainian cuisine. The publication was illustrated with an image of Ukrainian borscht, prepared by Iurii, that combined the best practices of molecular gastronomy with national traditions. The same image was used in the internationally renowned culinary magazine CHEF (January 2021).

 

Culinary Diplomacy

Working in close cooperation with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its network of overseas embassies in different countries, Iurii actively promotes Ukrainian cuisine abroad.

In recent years under the patronage of former Ambassador of Ukraine to Singapore, Dmytro Senik - Iurii has delivered a series of culinary events in Singapore which have reached more than 250 000 participants in total.

In July 2018, as part of his work to promote modern Ukrainian cuisine, Iurii took part in the "pop-up" 8 hand celebrity chef dinner at the 5* Excelsior Hotel in Venice – the official venue of the Venice Film Festival. Preparing a special dinner for 100 guests, Iurii shared the kitchen with renowned colleagues: Exelsior Executive Chef Damiano Brocchini, 2 Michelin star Chef Lionello Cera as well as British ambassador for food and tourism and Multi award-winning TV Celebrity Chef, Alan Coxon.

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In August 2018 Iurii joined the project "Uncounted since 1932" in Brussels – an initiative that helps to spread awareness of the Holodomor genocide, a Soviet crime that took place against the Ukrainian nation.

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In April 2019 under the patronage of Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, Andriy Sybiha - Iurii organized a Ukrainian Cuisine Week in Ankara, Turkey.

In June 2019 in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria and its Ambassador, Olexander Scherba - Iurii hosted a series of Ukrainian Dinner Parties at the fashionable Hotel Bristol in Vienna.

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In November 2019, supported by Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iurii launched Ukrainian restaurant "Trypillya" in Seoul, South Korea.

In 2020 Iurii coached the National Culinary Team of Ukraine for the IKA/Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart.

Between 2019 and 2021, Iurii headed the team representing Ukraine at the Cairo International Food Festival under the patronage of the Ukrainian Embassy and its Ambassador, Yevhen Mykytenko.

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The Chef's mission goes along with the core values of Ambassadors of Taste for the Global Gastronomy® organization & guide, such us: "Achievement of a sustainable gastronomy","Cultural heritage preservation", "Environmental sustainability", "Humanitarian aid" and need for "Unity and peace"

This official award is considered as the top honor for Chefs and other entities connected with gastronomy, in the world.

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The global organization & guide AMBASSADORS OF TASTE FOR THE GLOBAL GASTRONOMY® certified & awarded Mr. YURII KOVRYZHENKO with the honorary title of AMBASSADORS OF TASTE FOR THE GLOBAL GASTRONOMY® Gold Medal 2021 for his dedication in sustainable gastronomy and for his inspiring vision to promote Ukrainian cuisine in the most effective way.