Hi, thank you so much for stopping by! I am so happy you are here, it really means a lot to me. My name is Nataliia Savchenko, and I'm the home cook, self-taught baker, recipe developer, and the creator of Sava's Kitchen.
My cooking is inspired by the traditions I learned growing up in Ukraine, shaped by life experiences in different countries, and by the homemade meals I now cook for my own family here in the United States.
After years of cooking, experimenting, developing recipes for my family and friends, I created this blog to share reliable, approachable recipes anyone can be confident in making at home. With 25 years of hands-on cooking experience, I focus on creating reliable, family-friendly recipes inspired by American, Ukrainian, and European traditions, along with simple every day meals. I'm also a lifelong learner in the kitchen and love continuing to explore new techniques, ingredients, and flavors.
I was born and raised in Ukraine, and I moved to the United States in 2009. I'm proud to now call the U.S. my home. I was honored to serve in the United States Army, which is how I earned my citizenship.
Cooking has always been a huge part of my life. I'm constantly learning and experimenting in the kitchen because it's my biggest passion.
My love for food started when I was a child. My mom used to joke that I was the best eater in the family. Looking back, I think that was her achievement more than mine. She cooked the most incredible homemade meals using whatever ingredients we had available. At that time, grocery stores didn't offer much variety, so many families relied on their gardens and small farms. Despite that, my mom always managed to create the most delicious and creative dishes. She loved experimenting and even grew fruits and vegetables that weren't common in our area back then.
When my mom became terminally ill, I once overheard her telling my aunt that she was worried she hadn't taught me everything she knew about cooking, baking, canning, and fermenting, the skills that people truly relied on at the time. Wow, that makes me feel old, ha-ha. But on a serious note. I think the importance of those skills are coming back into our lives today. But in reality, she had already taught me more than enough. She didn't just teach me recipes or techniques. She taught me the most important lesson of all - to cook with love.
Years later, before I got married and before our son was born, life became busy. I moved often and relied more on restaurants and fast food. I actually loved trying new foods, especially when I had the chance to live in and travel through countries like Germany, Poland, Italy, and Spain.
But deep down, I always knew that when I finished my Army contract and settled down, I wanted to cook the best homemade meals for my family, just like my mom did.
I also wanted to find a way to preserve those recipes and share them with others, and maybe even pass them down to my kids and future grand-kids. That's one of the things I love about the internet.
And that's how Sava's Kitchen was born in 2021.
My maiden last name comes 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.
Frequently asked questions
On Sava's Kitchen, I share simple, family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Many of my recipes are inspired by Ukrainian and Eastern European traditions, along with classic American comfort foods. I also love sharing European-style desserts and traditional yeast baking, which are an important part of my cooking background.
My goal is to help home cooks make delicious homemade meals without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
You can definitely expect delicious results when you follow my recipes. I carefully develop and test every recipe in my home kitchen to make sure it works and is easy to recreate.
I focus on simple ingredients, clear instructions, and comforting flavors inspired by Ukrainian, European and American traditions, along with the everyday meals I cook for my own family. If a recipe doesn't work well, isn't easy to follow, or doesn't get a thumbs-up from my family, it doesn't make it onto Sava's Kitchen.
Every recipe on Sava's Kitchen is developed and tested in my home kitchen. I usually test recipes multiple times to make sure they work well and are easy to follow. I focus on using simple ingredients and common grocery store brands so readers can easily recreate the recipes at home.
My family plays a big role in the testing process. In my opinion, family members are the best testers because they know you well and can't really hide their reactions when they like something - or when they don't. Their honest feedback helps me decide if a recipe is truly ready to share.
When it comes to baked goods and desserts, my son is my most important critic. If he approves it, I know it's a winner and ready for the website. And yes, he's a big foodie too!
You may also be curious about the language part. My masters degree in English linguistics and translation helps me create clear recipe instructions, that are easy to follow and understand. If you ever find any grammar mistakes, let me know please.
You can start by browsing my recipe index or exploring the categories. You can also use the search bar if you're looking for a specific recipe.
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact me via email. I'll do my best to create the recipe for you, especially when it comes to authentic Ukrainian and European dishes, which can be hard to find.
You can also sign up for my newsletter, where I share weekly recipes, tips, and inspiration straight to your inbox.
Yes! Most of my recipes are designed to be approachable for home cooks of all skill levels. I focus on clear instructions, step-by-step images, simple techniques, and ingredients that are easy to find in regular grocery stores.
I want my recipes to help people feel confident in the kitchen, whether they are just starting to cook or have years of experience.
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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