In true Slavic form and fashion, the community of Los Altos, led by hometown businesses Epicurean Group and Areté Dance Studio, dined and danced in glorious celebration of Ukraine and the spirit of her people at Rise Up Ukraine, a benefit event raising awareness about and humanitarian aid for the country.

A dance student at Areté, Epicurean Group’s CEO Mary Clark Bartlett heard that co-owners Kristina and Yuriy Kuvshynov were planning an event. “That’s my studio. Yuriy is my dance coach and his grandmother is stuck in Ukraine. Several employees, students, and coaches at Areté are also Ukrainian with family still living there or who recently fled as refugees. We absolutely wanted to help out. Being part of the local community is very important to Epicurean Group.”

Rise Up Ukraine was held on April 30th, organized by an unexpected coalition of community leaders: Areté Dance Center (Kristina Yuriy Kuvshynov and Sarah McClammy), Epicurean Group (Mary Clark Bartlett), Green Town Los Altos (Margie Suozzo), Mary Gospe (The Sound Gardeners), Rosalee Norona (PairAnything), and Corinne Landphere (Corinne Landphere Studio).

Hosted at the studio, Corporate Chef Phil Wright inspired staff and company chefs, bakers, and colleagues into an all-volunteer effort of participation. Epicurean Group provided abundant and colorful food stations of hand-rolled Ginger Pork dumplings with Vietnamese Noodle Salad, BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw, and homemade Ukrainian sweet treats Honey Babka and Kiev Cake.

A traditional specialty dessert with surprise, the Kiev Cake was an event star – layers of soft sponge cake, hazelnut, and buttercream sandwiched between a unique crunch of meringue. “Three days before the event I baked the meringue layer for 6 hours on a low temp over 200 – 225 degrees,” said Courtney Luddon, one of Epicurean Group’s long-time pastry chefs. “The next day we made the sponge cakes and the following day I decorated the cake. It was quite an effort but worth it. When you bite in, the texture is gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside: an extraordinary country classic.”

Local wineries Ridge Vineyard, Portola Vineyard, Raeburn Winery, and Scott Harvey Wines graciously donated with the help of PairAnything.

A silent auction offered Slavic specialties like handmade Korovai (Ukrainian wedding bread) and art pieces inspired by the war in Ukraine, including committee member and artist Corrine Landphere’s original painting Rise Up, seen here in the poster for the event.

Then it was time to dance! Guests gathered for a studio performance of the Viennese Waltz, followed by a lesson in Hopak (to hop), the Ukrainian national dance. Guests clad in Vyshyvankas, the traditional embroidered shirt, clicked heels and danced together, linking arms, and raising up in honor and support of Ukraine. The event inspired everyone with high-energy dance, art, food, and culture and raised over $22,000 for Nova Ukraine.

“We are conscious capitalists who believe in giving back,” says CEO Bartlett. “Ours is a values-based company that operates on the principles of quality, integrity, and sustainability. As an independent company, we buy from the local community and want to support them – farmers, fishermen, ranchers, and artisans. Community alliances help transform and lead our business practices.”

Epicurean Group supports many community groups including Slow Foods USA, Los Altos History Museum, Los Altos Peace Officers, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Green Town Los Altos.