I had the wonderful opportunity to design the book cover for Cuisines of Odesa: A Ukrainian Cookbook by Maria Kalenska, in collaboration with Insight Editions.
Cuisines of Odesa by Maria Kalenska is a soulful exploration of Odesa’s rich culinary heritage — a city on the Black Sea shaped by Ukrainian, Jewish, Greek, Turkish, and Armenian traditions. Born into a third-generation Odesa family, Kalenska left her corporate career to follow her passion for food, founding the My Friends cooking school and dedicating her work to sharing Ukrainian gastronomy with the world.
This book brings together over 100 recipes that reflect the true spirit of Odesa — from vibrant street food to refined homemade dishes. Seafood plays a central role, echoing the coastal identity of the city, while comforting classics reveal its multicultural roots. From kefir pancakes and rose petal jam to dumplings, borscht, and chocolate-glazed eclairs, each dish tells a story.
More than a cookbook, it’s a cultural journey filled with photography, narratives, and voices of chefs inspired by Odesa. Accessible to both beginners and experienced cooks, this book captures the warmth, diversity, and unforgettable taste of Odesa’s cuisine.
At the very beginning of the project, there was no clear vision of what the final cover would look like — no defined graphics or exact direction. What we did know was the feeling: it had to be inspiring, handcrafted, and built around a navy blue and retro beige color palette. I received a detailed brief and was asked to develop three sketch concepts to choose from. I got so inspired that I created four.
As the project evolved, we moved toward a hand-drawn vector illustration approach. However, the direction shifted, and I was provided with a sketch created by another illustrator. My task was to simplify it while preserving the authenticity of Odesa — its culture, cuisine, and the atmosphere of the Black Sea.
The final concept brought together iconic elements of the city. The cover features Black Sea seafood like shrimp, sprat, and mussels, along with symbolic details such as ships and tankers. In the top left corner stands the Vorontsov Lighthouse, overlooking the sea with fish swimming beneath. Moving across the composition, you’ll find the Odesa Opera House, Privoz market, and the Potemkin Stairs. The upper part of the illustration is completed with waves and Black Sea shrimp, creating a flowing, cohesive visual story.
Because the illustration was entirely hand-drawn, it was highly detailed and required careful execution. Every line added character and mood to the composition. But what surprised me most was how deeply I connected with the spirit of Odesa during this process.
This city holds so many memories for me — its authentic humor, hot summer days by the sea, the taste of shrimp and baklava, and, of course, its incredibly rich cuisine.
I’m truly grateful to have been part of such a meaningful, layered, and inspiring project.
Available via Weldonowen and Amazon
