Victor Pastukhov

Victor’s main field of work is searching for new local products throughout Russia. Not only food, but also antiques, household items, books. Through this search and research, he studies folklore, meets and shares information with local farmers, collectors and those with specific mastery. Has an expert knowledge in how to properly cure, dry, freeze vegetables, seeds, herbs, berries and fruit grown in their native lands.

Has his own collection of cookbooks with the recipes of the peoples of Russia and the CIS.

In his work, Viktor is trying to find and revive long forgotten cooking techniques, adopt the valuable knowledge of ancestors in cooking dishes, preserving their local and natural identity, in order to write them into the history of modern gastronomy.

Co-organizer of gastronomic dinners using local products. Collaborates with Chef Vladimir Mukhin of White Rabbit restaurant in Moscow. In the special culinary edition of the Evening Urgant late-night show, the fruits of a Hovenia tree, found by Viktor during his gastro-expedition to Sochi, were used for cooking.

«At one point I realized that we have no particular knowledge of the products we consume. We are mindlessly trying to copy western gastronomy. Although we ourselves have all it takes to become the new gastronomic capital of the world. Huge reserves of wild edible plants, unique history of the peoples of Russia are inexhaustible sources of inspiration.