THE secrets of the traditional half-moon dumplings were demonstrated at the second of two Ukrainian Food Days in Redditch.
The sessions raised funds for the centre and the support group, Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcome Refugees (BRWR).
Dozens of people attended the events, at REDI Centre, organised to give locals the chance to meet Ukrainian refugees living in and around the town, and hear their experiences.
Julia Bedford was attracted by the cooking and the eating.
She said it was the first time she had met Ukrainian refugees and she wanted to be another friendly face for them.
“It’s been quite emotional hearing their stories.
“It made me feel how fortunate we are not to have to leave our homes and our loved ones and flee our country with just a bag with a few possessions in.
“But at the same time it was really uplifting to hear how they’ve been welcomed into the community.”
Ukrainians regularly meet in the town to eat food together.
Julia added: “It was fantastic to share that and to have a go at making it, and eating it – it was delicious.
“I can’t pronounce it but I didn’t too badly, actually.”
Refugee Sofia Isakova, from Odessa, has been here with her two children for nearly 18 months and values events which bring the different cultures together.
She said: “It’s good to show local British people some Ukrainian cuisine and to explain what is going on in the frontline.
“It’s important for them to know the truth.”
She added Ukrainians were very grateful for the sanctuary provided in the UK, but they also valued events like this where they could meet fellow refugees.
“It’s important for Ukrainians to be together, first of all for mental health and secondly to make some more friends because many Ukrainians don’t speak English.”
Visit facebook.com/BromsgroveRedditchWelcomeRefugees for more information.
