Hello and welcome! My name is Anastasia Vorje.. I’m a professional chef with experience working at a Michelin-starred restaurant. But first and foremost, I’m a woman. I love it when my surroundings are beautiful, delicious, and cozy. What’s more, I believe that when a woman cooks with joy, she creates magic around her. That’s the idea behind my blog—to inspire women to practice culinary magic.
I’m married to a Frenchman—hence the name “Madame Vorje.” My journey to starting a food blog is like an Alpine mountain road. Or perhaps a twist of fate—you decide! I’ll just briefly tell you my story.
I was born in Kyiv, but when I was 15, I moved to Lugano, Switzerland. I’ve always loved cooking, but when I was young, it never even occurred to me that it could be my career. Back then, cooking shows weren’t as popular as they are now. So I enrolled in the economics program at the University of Lausanne.
After earning my master’s degree, I found a job at a prestigious consulting firm in Geneva. But the job didn’t bring me any joy at all. I spent my time poring over Excel spreadsheets, while my heart was calling me to the world of cooking. One day, I simply got tired of lying to myself and made one of the most important decisions of my life. I decided to go to Paris to study the culinary arts.
After working for another six months and saving up the necessary amount, I stepped out of the Gare de Lyon in Paris with a large suitcase and a heart full of anticipation. The best French culinary school—Ferrandi Paris—was waiting for me.
The course was very intense. During the first month, when I got home, I only had enough energy to wash and iron my jacket. Sometimes I’d fall asleep right on the couch before I even made it to bed. But studying was so interesting!
We studied classic French dishes and learned modern techniques. We cooked alongside Michelin-starred chefs and met the best producers. We explored the cuisines and wines of France’s regions. We practiced the art of gastronomic presentation. A separate module was devoted to the art of pastry making—which I found particularly easy.
Before I knew it, six months had flown by, and it was time for my internship. But fate took yet another unexpected turn. My beloved husband asked me to move with him to Singapore. I had never been to Singapore, and Asia wasn’t part of my plans at all. But guided solely by my heart (and experience shows that such decisions are the best), I agreed and found myself on another continent.
That’s when the most challenging—and at the same time, incredibly enriching—period of my life began. Chef Julien Royer accepted me as an intern at one of the world’s best restaurants—Odette.
For the first few months, my specialty was the restaurant’s signature dish—Heirloom Beetroot Variation (pictured).
Three Michelin stars aren’t a miracle—they’re the result of the entire team’s titanic effort and dedication. In a restaurant of this caliber, there’s no room for error, and the level of responsibility is off the charts. At first, I was in shock. I didn’t understand how anyone could work that hard. But eventually I got into the swing of things—especially when I started working in the pastry section. Working side by side with the brilliant pastry chef Nicolas Vergnole, I soaked up knowledge like a sponge. My goodness, the desserts we made!
But I wouldn’t be myself if something extraordinary hadn’t happened to me. I had an accident that left me with 13 stitches in my finger. This incident really brought me down. Work became harder and harder. On top of that, I missed my boyfriend terribly, since we hardly ever saw each other.
At some point, I realized that this profession wasn’t for me. I love feeling like a woman—getting dressed up, making my home cozy, and cooking dinner for friends. I like to do these things slowly and with pleasure. But when I worked at the restaurant, it was the exact opposite: my main “accessories” were a kitchen towel and a knife; I had to work very quickly; and instead of a home-cooked dinner, my husband was left with a frozen pizza.
I left the profession, taking with me invaluable experience and knowledge, but leaving a piece of my heart at Odette. I look back on those days with great gratitude, and every time I visit a good restaurant, my soul is filled with nostalgia.
After living in Singapore for three years and traveling extensively throughout Asia, we moved to Paris. I’d been mulling over the idea of starting a food blog about French cuisine for a long time, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Then COVID-19 hit, and suddenly the whole world had to cook at home. I realized I could be helpful, so I started sharing simple recipes on my Instagram page.
It turned out that I have a knack for making the complicated simple and explaining recipes in a way that ensures everyone can successfully prepare the dishes. The quarantine ended, but people asked me not to stop. I realized that after so much hesitation, I had finally found my calling! My mission is to make you feel like a queen in the kitchen, not Cinderella. Thanks to my culinary experience, I adapt professional techniques and recipes so they’re easy to make at home. Cooking delicious meals isn’t hard—the key is doing it right. I’m here to help you with that. In addition to my blog, I also create cooking courses and marathons that have already helped thousands of women improve their culinary skills. The prestigious Swiss publication Le Temps and Polish Vogue have both written about my charitable Ukrainian cuisine course.
I currently live in Geneva and am raising my little son, Louis. I put my heart and soul into every recipe, every photo, and every post. Food is a very simple way to bring joy to your loved ones, and I really want there to be more happy people in the world!
