A Ukrainian family have opened a takeaway from their new home to serve delicacies from their country after fleeing the conflict.
Eugene and Anna Kryklyvyi, Eugene's mum Olena and their daughter Eva moved to Bolton in July 2020 after Russia started its attack on Ukraine.
The couple were holidaying in Australia when the attacks started leaving them fearful as their daughter Eva was still in their hometown of Odesa.
Eugene said: “It was terrible because we were in a safe place, but she was not.
“They were bombing over the city so I asked my mum to take my wife’s car and cross over the border to Moldova, where we could meet them.
“It was scary and we were nervous but my mum wanted to save her granddaughter’s life.”
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The journey was not easy for Olena, who tried twice to leave but was stopped when a bomb went off near the border.
Initially, the family moved to the Czech Republic but since they could speak better English they decided to move.
The family now live in Lostock, and their takeaway, Smakolyki Catering is based at their home, whick they say has been approved by Bolton Council.
Eugene said: “We decided to start the business because I didn’t feel comfortable getting any financial benefits from the country.
“We had a good life in Ukraine, we were doing well with the business but all of our plans had to stop.
“I wanted to do something and there is nothing nearby that has Ukrainian food.”
The family threw a party at their home in Lostock to thank people for helping them in a time of need.
Eugene said: “We made lots of Ukrainian dishes and everyone loved it.
“I thought we could bring our culture to Bolton because all people know about it is that Russia invaded us.”
Dishes on the menu include Pelmeni – dumplings filled with meat and the famous Borsch soup, with meat and vegetables like beetroot and tomato.
Eugene also thanks the host family that have helped them since arriving to Bolton.
He said: “We enjoyed our life in our city and we had plans for our future. I used to run a catering company that supplied food to airlines all over the world.
“We’re very lucky because we found a kind man in Bolton, Richard and Carole Cord.”
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