I am not Ukranian, but when I was about 7 years old my family moved into a Ukranian community, for a short period of time.  I remember how the people loved to eat, and there was always a gathering of some sort at the local church and it was usually pot luck.  I was mesmerized of all the food and the love and dedication these people put into preparing it, and I fell in love with Ukranian food.