Gastronomy has always been a significant part of the cultural roots and historical traditions of every society. In that sense, Ukraine is not an exception. On the contrary, gastronomy plays a vital role in its cultural life. Additionally, our culinary development has become a very significant element from an economic point of view, given its potential to attract tourism and investment, and to generate innovation. Ukraine has an extremely rich culinary tradition which has evolved over many centuries and are a reflection of the rich historical past. The vast territory, various environmental conditions and historical development of different regions influenced the formation of national cuisine and surprisingly transformed Ukrainian dishes. The eastern, western, northern and southern parts of Ukraine differ sharply in taste preferences and technologies for the preparation of traditional dishes. Authentic recipes combined with modern cooking techniques make Ukrainian cuisine one of the most colorful in the world. The program of the summer school of Ukrainian traditional cuisine, restaurant business and entrepreneurship is an amazing combination of history, traditions, culture and modern restaurant business.
In this summer school you will learn more about Ukraine and its historical past, culinary preferences, traditional and modern dishes, amazing hospitality, will be able to taste national dishes, get new culinary skills, learn a lot of new recipes and interesting information, improve your skills in cooking national dishes, take part in exciting master classes from local chefs, get acquainted with the principles of restaurant business and entrepreneurship, get knowledge about the creation and management of business projects, the development of the brand and the use of social networks to convey your ideas to the public.
You’ll even gain hands-on experience in brainstorming tasks, working with a team to develop a professional-looking presentation and convey a great idea to potential investors.
Gastropreneurship Ukrainian Summer School is designed for international individuals with different educational background and aims to introduce the participants to the Ukrainian cuisine, culture, peculiarities of restaurant business and entrepreneurship.
The Summer School will include different sessions, such as:
— lectures by international experts;
— workshops and open discussion, where experiences from experts and participants are shared, analysed, and discussed in order to design and implement restaurant business and entrepreneurship strategies;
— site visits, where practical experiences on the implementation of successful restaurant business and entrepreneurship activities are offered;
— a wide cultural program.
The Summer school lasts two weeks and consists of two modules. The first of them is Tasting Culture: Ukrainian Cuisine & Tradition in Hospitality. This module is devoted to the history and formation of Ukrainian traditional cuisine, hospitality, introduces participants to the peculiarities of using local ingredients and the technology of preparing Ukrainian dishes. This module is accompanied by tastings, master classes and excursions to modern Ukrainian restaurants.
In this course, you will learn the features of cooking dishes of North-, East-, South- and Western cuisines, dishes of the cuisine of the Poltava region, festive cuisine for Christmas and Easter, Cossack cuisine, ceremonies.
Each day consists of lectures on the history of the formation of Ukrainian cuisine, tastings, seminars on the restaurant business and entrepreneurship, culinary games and show programs, quests. Excursions and tastings in the best restaurants reflecting the color of Ukrainian dishes will leave unforgettable sensations and an explosion of taste, color and aroma.
Meetings with famous and leading restaurateurs and chefs of Ukraine will familiarize participants with current trends and innovations in Ukrainian cuisine.
The second module is Restaurant business and Entrepreneurship. The expert Professor, Dr. Werner Wetekamp participates in this module. The module aims to foster creative thinking and innovation among participating students. The course content is an introduction to the creative and business skills required during the development of a commercially viable and socially engaged product or service of Restaurant business and Entrepreneurship. Working in groups, students will be involved in the research, prototyping and testing of their idea and engage in market research and validation, competitor analysis and business model exploration.
In addition, participants will be able to improve their communication skills, expand vocabulary and have fun during lessons “Useful Ukrainian for beginners”.
Thus, students will receive 3 ECTS (Tasting Culture: Ukrainian Cuisine & Tradition in Hospitality) + 3 ECTS (Restaurant business and Entrepreneurship).
At the conclusion of this intensive workshop participants will develop their own business project for the development of restaurant business and entrepreneurship for their country.
All foreign participants and students can develop their business projects together with students of the host university. And it will also significantly contribute to intercultural communication and understanding of all mental diversity on the European continent.
The cultural program of the Summer School will reveal to you the splendor of our city and region, the Majesty of its historical heritage and introduce to the participants the modern life of the cultural capital of Ukraine.
The cultural program of the Summer School includes master classes for decorating gingerbread cookies and cooking traditional Ukrainian dishes dumplings, evens of Ukrainian dancing, Ukrainian old singing and music, Human library with famous chef, Gastroquest in Kharkiv, event in the most famous local restaurant “Stargorod” and Graduation party.
Participants of the Summer School will have a unique opportunity to visit the Historical and Archeological Museum-Reserve «Verkhniy Saltiv» with old Ukrainian crafts workshops, take part in old Ukrainian games, taste traditional food.
At the end of the Summer School each participant will be awarded a certificate and receive 6 ECTS (3 ECTS Tasting Culture: Ukrainian Cuisine & Tradition in Hospitality+ 3 ECTS Restaurant business and Entrepreneurship).
The program has been developed in close collaboration with regional partners.