Behind the Magic: Chef Ilya Mazhugo’s ‘Cook. Watch. Eat.’ Journey

Behind the Magic: Chef Ilya Mazhugo’s ‘Cook. Watch. Eat.’ Journey

Some movies leave a lasting impression not just with their storylines but also with the delectable dishes they showcase. Who could forget the tantalizing lasagna from “Garfield”? Thanks to the video service VOKA, we now have the opportunity to not only watch our favorite films but also to savor their iconic dishes! In their new culinary show “Cook. Watch. Eat.”, Chef Ilya Mazhugo demonstrates how to bring cinematic recipes to life. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Ilya to discuss the behind-the-scenes of the show, his culinary journey, and some secrets to creating mouthwatering meals.

Chef Ilya Mazhugo’s Culinary Journey

Ilya’s passion for cooking ignited at a young age. At just 13, he baked his first biscuit and instantly knew he wanted to pursue cooking as a career. Despite his family’s initial reservations, Ilya was determined to become a chef. After ninth grade, he left school to enroll in a culinary institute near his hometown of Bryansk.

For Ilya, being a chef is not just a job but a lifestyle. He quickly climbed the career ladder, becoming a head chef at a young age. Despite facing challenges due to his age, Ilya’s talent and dedication have taken him to various cities, including St. Petersburg, Moscow, Gelendzhik, and eventually Minsk, where he fell in love with the city and its vibrant culinary scene.

Culinary Trends and Belarusian Dining Culture

Over the past five years, we’ve seen numerous food trends come and go, from Italian and Japanese cuisines to burgers and poke bowls. According to Ilya, most of these trends originate in the United States before making their way to Europe and eventually Belarus. While it’s difficult to predict when a trend will reach Belarus, it’s certain that it will eventually arrive.

Regarding the dining culture in Belarus, Ilya believes that it is well-developed, with people frequently visiting restaurants and cafes. He compares it to his current experience in Kazakhstan, where the dining culture is not as prevalent. The future of dining culture in Belarus depends on its people, as it is a cyclical process: the more people dine out, the more the culture develops, and vice versa.

‘Cook. Watch. Eat.’: A Unique Culinary Experience

Ilya was invited to host “Cook. Watch. Eat.” on VOKA, a show that combines his love for cooking and films. The concept of the show resonated with him, as he enjoys both cooking and watching movies. The show features dishes from 12 films, with 8 of them being selected for their unique and interesting recipes.

During the show, Ilya prepares dishes that sometimes require lengthy preparation times. For instance, the dough for Neapolitan pizza needs to ferment for three days. In such cases, Ilya prepares the dough in advance but explains the process to the viewers to maintain transparency and honesty.

One of the challenges Ilya faced during the show was the need to improvise. There was no strict script, and he had the freedom to express himself naturally. He also had to balance his roles as a chef and a host, which sometimes required him to change clothes multiple times a day as they filmed several episodes in one day.

The most difficult dish Ilya had to prepare on the show was cupcakes. He initially used the wrong type of flour, which resulted in dense and heavy cupcakes. To achieve the perfect light and fluffy texture, he had to start over using flour with a lower protein content. This attention to detail and commitment to perfection is a testament to Ilya’s dedication to his craft and the show’s concept.

To learn more about the show and watch episodes, visit the official VOKA website.