Hello, I am so happy you stumbled upon my blog. I am Julia Frey, a London based recipe developer and photographer, and Vikalinka is my space to share my food with the world.
So much of my life is taken up by cooking, due to hungry children and husband, and you will become witnesses to my culinary endeavours if you choose to stay around.
What do you do besides writing for Vikalinka?
I used be an English teacher but since 2017 Vikalinka has become my full time job. Outside of my passion for cooking I enjoy spending time with my husband and my two sweet, funny and incredibly creative children. Travel is something we enjoy as a family. We love to explore Europe or visiting families in Canada and Russia, at which point Vikalinka turns into a travel blog.
Why “Vikalinka”?
I agonised over the blog name for ages – to name a blog is as difficult as naming your firstborn. What I really wanted is for my blog name to reflect my Russian roots but also to be simple and memorable. My daughter’s name is Victoria, or Vika for short in Russian. My husband often calls her Vikalinka, it’s a made-up word but we love it so it became the name of my blog.
Why did you start blogging?
I started Vikalinka in 2012 because I wanted to record my recipes for my children to use in the future. I very quickly realized that when I am blogging I am in my most creative state. I love pushing that side of myself and constantly find that creativity has no limits.
Over the years Vikalinka has grown far more than I could have imagined. Hearing from people all over the world making my recipes and seeing pictures of their own creations gives me the inspiration to create even more!
It’s been thrilling to have my recipes and photography featured in global publications and to work with major European and American brands, including the leading supermarkets in the UK. A short list includes Sainsburys, Bertolli, Old El Paso, Splenda, and many others.
Where did you learn to cook?
I’ve been cooking for as long as I remember. Being raised in a family of excellent cooks the only option I had was to dive into the culinary world myself. By the time I was 13 I was often responsible for cooking dinners, which I enjoyed immensely even if I loved baking even more!
I had the chance to learn in a professional kitchen while at university and for a time after graduation. This experience expanded my repertoire and allowed me to learn from some incredible cooks. This training taught me new techniques, helped me perfect the ones I had, and helped me to learn such important things as building flavours in a dish.
I’ve also had the opportunity to travel extensively, trying a wide range of cuisines, learning from locals in their own kitchen, and taking cooking courses in Italy, France and the UK. This experience is why the food on this site is so diverse, including some of my favourites from countries like Italy, France, Spain, Mexico and the Philippines.
I still love to learn and take in as much new information as I can through reading or visiting restaurants. The food world is massive, with something new or old always waiting to be discovered. I’m thrilled to be a part of it!
How would you describe your cooking style?
I am definitely drawn to European style of eating which is unapologetically REAL, seasonal and understated. No “triple” or “jumbo” anything here. I believe in starting with fresh, beautiful ingredients and building a great dish from there.
I cook what inspires me and what is loved by my family and hopefully it will also inspire you and will become your family’s favourite.
Please visit often, get inspired and comment, comment, comment!
To learn more about me read my interview with Food Bloggers of Canada , a podcast on Makers and Mystics, where we discuss The Art of Food and Behind the scenes with Vikalinka.
Photo Credit: NoemiPhotography
Vikalinka was featured on…
I found your 5 minute ravioli sauce on pinterest — I work full time—almost retired (next year!) and wanted a delicious quicky dinner. I had no ravioli so I cooked pasta instead—sautéed some shrimp and what a fabulous sauce!! I am Italian—I make many pasta dishes and have been cooking and baking for many years—this is a keeper!!! I will be following you and trying many of your recipes!
What a great outcome, Nancy!! I am thrilled you enjoyed it this much and I hope you will love my other recipes as well.
Tried it tonight and let me tell you it’s absolutely delicious. Served with broccoli and grilled bread. Definitely will make it again.
That great, Geetha! What dish did you try?
I tried your chicken recipe tonight – with Dijon, white wine and cream – it was incredibly delicious and simple to make. Everyone here voted it best Pinterest recipe we’ve tried yet (and we’ve tried a lot)! Will definitely look for more of your recipes. We will enjoy this one time and again. Many thanks from new friends in the states!
Hey girl!
Your blog is great! I stumbled upon it looking for an authentic Stroganoff recipe. I just made it and absolutely loved it! It was served over buttery homemade mashed potatoes. I love that you prefer a European-style of cooking as well. I’m so grateful that you’ve decided to follow your passion and share with the world. I’m going to thoroughly enjoy my new cooking journey with your help : )
Thanks so much, Nichole! Welcome to Vikalinka!
Wow! I am just now stumbling upon your page. I googled medovik and found your cake and I cant wait to try it out! Love your ABOUT ME 🙂 Keep it up! Cant wait to try your recipes.
Thanks so much and welcome to Vikalinka, Lianna!
I just have to say, whenever I need a good recipe, I typically open Pinterest and the past several times I’ve done so, I’ve found one of yours and been really pleased with the results! I’ve since bookmarked your blog! So, thank you! I’ve wowed my husband and my friends with first time dishes that were easy and high impact!
What are your favourite places to eat in London? My husband and I live in Harrow and are always on the lookout for delicious food!
Thanks so much, Cate! What a lovely comment! I am so pleased to hear you’ve had success with my recipes. I have a Pinterest board of my favourite restaurants. Some of them are still on my list to visit but many are the ones that my husband and I love and visit often! There is a good mix of formal and casual there! I also add to it constantly. https://www.pinterest.com/juliavfrey/restaurants/ I hope some of them will appeal. Best, Julia
I just made your blini recipe in Rome for my three children and partner! With kefir bought in an Ukrainian store. The kefir in the Italian stores doesn’t work as well for some reason. With raspberry jam and smetana! Thank you! My partner was happy as I usually make American pancakes with maple syrup which he doesn’t like. Merci! Grazie! Спасибо! Thanks.
You are very welcome! So happy they turned out for you, Natasha! Maybe be kefir in Italian stores doesn’t have live culture, which is what gives blini a bit of a rise and lacy texture.
We discovered your blog through Pinterest, saw your amazing work (an inspiration to us all) and just wanted to express our gratitude for your fantastic recipes and our admiration.
Thank you for making the blogging world richer.
Mirella and Panos
Thank you so much, Mirella and Panos. What a sweet comment that definitely made my day!!
Hi! I found you through PoppylovesLondon and I am so glad that I did! Love your ethos on food as I feel the same as well. Raising my children on real food was a no brainer for me. Now as teenage women they cook and will eat just about anything! Look forward to reading your blog.( Btw I live in Toronto but born in London and lived in Dublin for over a decade).
Welcome to the blog, Christine. I am so glad you found me! Yes, nothing but real food. My kids don’t even like McDonald’s and I am so proud I was able to give them the palate that appreciates good food. Teaching them to cook is the next step although they are not far already!
PS. Love the London-Canada connection! 🙂
I’m so jealous you live in London!! I’m obsessed with all things British. Maybe someday… love your flower head wreath – very Russian/Ukrainian. 🙂
Thank you :-). It wasn’t really the intention for it to look Russian/Ukrainian, it was actually shot in Paris but I agree it does look quite Ukrainian. I have a similar shot when I was 5, shot in Lvov, Ukraine.:-)
Gorgeous blog! And your photos are amazing!
Thank you. You are so kind. 🙂
Enjoying your blog, keep it up! Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by and your comment, Vladislav!
Thank you.
Dear Julia, warm greetings from Serbia, I simply love your blog and recipes and photos and your energy and everything! You’re awesome!
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