Why Ukrainian Korovai Captivated Chicago – and How Americans Are Reacting – Oksana Kliuiko’s case

In recent months, Chicago has seen steady growth in the number of small businesses launched by immigrants from around the world. More and more local enterprises reflect the city’s cultural diversity – from bakeries and coffee shops to artisan workshops and family-run patisseries. According to local analysts, there’s a rising interest in ethnic cuisine and authentic, handcrafted products, especially among younger audiences and supporters of local consumption.

One of the standout examples in this landscape is the company founded by Oksana Kliuiko – the only business in the U.S. specializing in traditional Ukrainian korovai, custom-made ceremonial breads. Blending rich Ukrainian heritage with the realities of the American market, Oksana’s brand is part of a growing trend toward meaningful, story-driven products with deep cultural roots.

Oksana Kliuiko is a Ukrainian pastry chef and the founder of a unique company based in Chicago that specializes in traditional multi-tiered korovai – elaborate ceremonial breads that blend Ukrainian cultural heritage with modern pastry techniques.

Originally from the Polissya region of Ukraine, Oksana grew up surrounded by family baking traditions. Inspired by her roots, she began mastering the art of baking later in life, attending masterclasses with leading industry experts. Her creations have received international acclaim, including gold medals at BESTCookFEST in Kyiv in 2016 and 2018. Her signature Poliskyi Korovai has become not only a culinary masterpiece but also a patented symbol of the cultural connection between Ukraine and the world.

In Chicago, Oksana founded what has become the only business in the United States dedicated to custom-made traditional Ukrainian korovai. Her products are popular among both the Ukrainian diaspora and American customers who appreciate unique, culturally rich desserts. The company actively utilizes modern delivery platforms like UberEats and GrubHub, making her creations accessible to a wide audience.

Oksana Kliuiko not only preserves and evolves Ukrainian culinary traditions but also successfully integrates them into American culture, offering one-of-a-kind, high-quality products. She is also the author of a series of academic articles focused on the history of the korovai and its cultural significance in Ukraine.

– You’re currently the only person in the U.S. baking traditional Ukrainian korovai to order. How did this journey begin in Chicago, and how did Americans first respond to your products?  

Korovai is not just bread for Ukrainians; it is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. I am one of the few artisans who make korovais in the USA. Even before I came to this wonderful country, my clients were following me on social media, and when the opportunity arose to try my baking, people gladly started placing orders

– Who is your main customer base in the U.S.? Is it primarily the Ukrainian diaspora, or have Americans without Ukrainian roots also become fans? What do they find appealing about the korovai?  

Most of my clients are Ukrainians or Americans of Ukrainian descent. People from other ethnic backgrounds are usually not familiar with our traditions, but when a korovai appears at weddings attended by guests of different nationalities, they watch the Ukrainian rituals with interest.

– Can you share some numbers with us — what’s your average order volume per month or per year? And how has that changed over the past few years? 

I have a home-based production – my own company making sweet baked goods, and my main product is the korovai. For one person, I have quite a lot of orders, although I plan to expand and hire assistants because handling large volumes alone is becoming increasingly difficult. However, due to the uncertainty of the future, I can’t do that just yet.

– Which sales channels work best for you: delivery platforms like UberEats and GrubHub, direct orders, events, or partnerships with restaurants?  

The number of orders keeps growing steadily, and they come from other states too, since I ship my products by mail. Social media is a powerful tool – most of the orders come through it. Word of mouth also works really well.

– What are your plans for growing the business? Are you looking to expand production, reach beyond Chicago, or introduce new products?  

I plan to keep growing and investing in the work I love with all my heart, because the korovai is part of our genetic code, just like the vyshyvanka.

– How do you see the future of the Ukrainian korovai in the U.S.? Will it remain a niche ethnic product, or do you think it has the potential to become a broader trend in American pastry culture?  

I believe the Ukrainian korovai has the soul of a celebration and the artistry of a sculpture. While it may start as a niche tradition within the Ukrainian-American community, I see great potential for it to become a broader symbol of heritage baking. Americans are increasingly curious about authentic, meaningful food traditions – and korovai, with its deep symbolism and stunning visual appeal, fits that perfectly. With the right storytelling and education, I think it could take its place alongside other beloved festive bakes in the U.S.

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