Since 2023, DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen has been sharing authentic Ukrainian food, and the stories behind it, from the heart of Edmonton, Alberta.

“DON’YA,” meaning special daughter in Ukrainian, reflects who we are: born from love, resilience, and the strength of our community. What began as a community response to the war in Ukraine has grown into Canada’s first newcomer-run Ukrainian kitchen brand: a symbol of resilience, hope, and delicious handmade perogies.

Founded in the wake of the 2022 invasion, DON’YA started as a small donation centre supporting Ukrainian newcomers. Soon, those who once received help returned to volunteer, cook, and share their traditions. Their spirit became the heart of DON’YA, and our kitchen became a place where cultures meet and comfort is served warm.

By 2023, with the support of local partners, we launched our first pop-up and kitchen space. Canadians quickly fell in love with our handmade varenyky (perogies), holubtsi, and borshch, each dish crafted by newcomers rebuilding their lives in Canada.

Today, DON’YA has grown into a vibrant network of cafés, a retail brand, and a manufacturing kitchen employing over 25 newcomers. Our products can be found in local grocery stores like the Italian Centre Shop, and our catering brings people together at tables across Alberta.

Beyond the food, we are a movement, uniting communities, creating jobs, and preserving Ukrainian culture one plate at a time.

Because for us, food is more than a meal.
It’s memory, identity, & a message of peace, shared through every perogy we make.