Well hello, I am so happy you stumbled upon my blog. I am Julia, a London based food blogger and photographer, and Vikalinka is my space to share bits of my life with the world. Incidentally, much of my life is taken up by cooking, due to very hungry children and husband, so you will become witnesses to my culinary endeavours if you choose to stay around.
What do you besides blogging for Vikalinka?
When I am not cooking I am usually found either in a classroom teaching English or at home with my husband and my two sweet, funny and incredibly creative children. If I am nowhere to be found, I am probably travelling all over Europe or visiting families in Canada and Russia so once in a while Vikalinka turns into a travel blog.
Why “Vikalinka”?
I agonised over the blog name for ages, to name a blog is as difficult as to name 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.
Where are you from?
I don’t even know anymore! I’m from Russia originally but moved to the States for college and married a Canadian guy who convinced me to move to Canada, where we spent a large chunk of our marriage, and then to England where we are now living with our two children.
Why did you start blogging?
I started Vikalinka because I simply wanted to record my recipes but very quickly realized that when I am blogging I am in my most creative state. I love pushing that side of myself and constantly finding that creativity has no limits.
Cooking inspires me to share my food with people. I love having friends at my house and nothing brings me more joy than seeing people enjoying my meals and each other’s company. The best conversations happen around a dinner table. It also inspires me to share what I know with others. It makes me so sad when I hear people say they see cooking as a chore I immediately want to show them it could be fun not to mention the practical aspect of it.
How would you describe your cooking style?
I am definitely drawn to European style of eating which is unapologetically REAL and understated. No “triple” or “jumbo” anything here. My food is real, I am not usually the one to invent a low-fat, no-carb substitute for pizza crust( not that I am not impressed with the ones that do), I just eat less of the real thing. I am also not someone who knows or cares too much about what is hot and trending in food blogosphere. 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. I’ve often been called “a snob” by my friends in Canada and the States because I preferred duck pate to a Pizza Hut pizza or grilled eggplant to McDonald’s burger and fries. Truth is I didn’t grow up eating at those places, so I would never have a midnight craving for a quarter pounder. However, I do often crave a hearty slice of crusty bread topped with salami or gouda. That’s my comfort food. Moving to England and having all this food, thanks to EU free trade, available and affordable is like living in a foodie heaven.
Will you ever do video recipes?
Blogging to me, is a very unique combination of three things I am passionate about at the moment- creating food, writing and photography. I am not too keen on stepping in front of a camera so no plans to branch out into videos in the near future.
Is London your final destination? Any plans to move back to Canada?
Living in London always inspires me to continue exploring. I hope I will never get tired of wandering its streets and castles, having a pint in my neighbourhood pub and listening to my kids sounding increasingly British with every day we live here. At this moment we have no plans to move but if things change I can see us being very happy in Italy.
Please visit often, get inspired and comment, comment, comment!
To learn more about me read my interview with Food Bloggers of Canada and Behind the scenes with Vikalinka.
Photo Credit: NoemiPhotography
Lianna says
December 6, 2019 at 6:34 pmWow! 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.
vikalinka says
December 7, 2019 at 1:28 pmThanks so much and welcome to Vikalinka, Lianna!
Cate says
December 19, 2017 at 10:22 amI 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!
vikalinka says
December 19, 2017 at 1:45 pmThanks 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
Natasha says
November 19, 2017 at 7:26 amI 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.
vikalinka says
November 19, 2017 at 12:45 pmYou 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.
Little Cooking Tips says
September 15, 2017 at 9:04 amWe 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
vikalinka says
September 15, 2017 at 10:14 amThank you so much, Mirella and Panos. What a sweet comment that definitely made my day!!
Christine says
February 8, 2017 at 4:19 pmHi! 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).
vikalinka says
February 8, 2017 at 4:34 pmWelcome 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! 🙂
russianmartini says
July 22, 2013 at 1:41 pmI’m so jealous you live in London!! I’m obsessed with all things British. Maybe someday… love your flower head wreath – very Russian/Ukrainian. 🙂
Vikalinka says
July 22, 2013 at 6:41 pmThank 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.:-)
On Top Of Spaghetti says
July 20, 2013 at 9:05 amGorgeous blog! And your photos are amazing!
Vikalinka says
July 21, 2013 at 6:50 amThank you. You are so kind. 🙂
Vladislav says
May 28, 2013 at 8:27 pmEnjoying your blog, keep it up! Thank you!
Vikalinka says
May 31, 2013 at 7:26 amThank you for stopping by and your comment, Vladislav!
Vikalinka says
May 19, 2013 at 7:59 pmThank you.
Gordana says
April 18, 2013 at 9:32 amDear 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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