Thank you for stopping by, it means a lot to me. Hello, my name is Nataliia Savchenko. My background might surprise you. I was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to the U.S. in 2009. Before I started Sava's Kitchen in 2021, I earned a Master of Arts in English Translation, moved to the US from Ukraine, served in the US Army, lived in a few European countries, and traveled extensively. At the moment, I am a full-time food blogger, recipe developer, Culinary Arts student, wife and a mom, who lives in Colorado.
I believe that great cooking is about knowing how to pick a good recipe, having confidence to follow it, challenging yourself in the kitchen, and knowing your audience (because even if you cook the single best steak of your life, it wont mean much to a vegetarian!).
And I am here on the other side of the screen to help you reach the exact goal of becoming a great cook, while I am still working on it myself because learning never stops for me. Speaking of which, I have officially started my professional Culinary Arts degree program in 2026.
I develop, test, photograph step-by-step, and do everything possible to translate complex techniques and traditional methods into clear, foolproof instructions for your home kitchen. And behind the scenes, there are plenty of failed recipe attempts, so only the absolute best of the best makes it to your table!
My cooking skills come from real, hands-on experience, living across different European countries, deeply embracing American culture, working through my culinary degree, and cooking daily for my family and friends.
My Credentials and Expertise
- Master of Arts in Linguistics and English Translation: Volodymyr Vynnychienko Central Ukrainian State University.
- U.S. Army Veteran: Over 6 years of service.
- Culinary Arts Student (since2026): Pikes Peak State College.
- Recipe Translation & Development Expert: I like to translate European recipes and adapt them to American kitchens, develop new dishes inspired by other cuisines. I also track native Ukrainian culinary blogs to bring you hidden European recipes and trends that otherwise would be lost in translation.
My food journey from Ukraine to the USA
My kitchen is shaped by my deep European roots and also by my love for American tradition. As someone born and raised in Europe, my standards for food have always been shaped by real food, cooking from scratch, and seasonal ingredients. When I moved to the US from Ukraine, I missed the flavors I grew up with, so I started recreating them in my own kitchen to stay connected to my roots. I'm here to share European recipes that bring those flavors into your home. As a trained translator, I enjoy translating European recipes for everyday home cooks, not just the language, but the techniques, ingredients, and traditions behind them.
I love sharing traditional American recipes. Having served in the U.S. Military, patriotism and honoring American culture are close to my heart. I have met people who think that America lacks its own unique recipes, which is not true. It actually has a rich, diverse heritage of regional classic and comfort foods that deserve just as much love and precious as traditional European dishes.
Sava's Kitchen was born in 2021. So far I have shared over 300 recipes, and my recipe collection keeps growing weekly. By the way, the name of my recipe website comes my maiden last name, which is from the name of an ancestor - Sava. Growing up, Sava was a nickname my brother and I used. So without hesitation, I chose it as the name of my blog, a place where I share my family recipes, traditions, and love for food.
What you will find on Sava's kitchen
- Made from scratch recipes: Reliable, tested recipes built on real ingredients. You will rarely see me using boxed mixes.
- European recipes: Classic bakes, comforting meals and regional dishes translated and adapted so you can easily make them in your home kitchen.
- American recipes: Classic dishes and comfort foods to celebrate America's rich food culture.
- Cooking techniques: Clear instructions, step-by-step techniques and practical tips that can teach you why and how recipes work, so you feel confident in the kitchen.
If you have any other questions about my recipes or myself, do not hesitate to ask me via email (see contact page) or in the specific recipe comments section.
Thank you for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Nataliia
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