A Serendipitous Discovery
It was during one of our regular trips through Summerland with Mama that we first stumbled upon a small yellow sign that would change our understanding of what home truly means. The Sunflower Ukrainian Café, nestled at 13229 Victoria Road, beckoned to us with its warm promise of authentic Ukrainian hospitality in the heart of the Okanagan Valley.
What started as a curious stop became a pilgrimage of the heart.
The Magic of Medivnyk and More
From that first bite of Andriy’s medivnyk – that heavenly honey cake made with generations of Ukrainian tradition and an abundance of love – we knew we had discovered something extraordinary. The cake, prepared fresh daily with recipes passed down through Julia and Andriy’s families, carries within it the soul of Ukraine: resilient, sweet, and crafted with meticulous care.
Now, whenever Mama and I journey through the valley, our first stop is always the Sunflower Café. We’ve made it our ritual to savor not just the famous medivnyk, but also to indulge in the comforting embrace of authentic borscht and perfectly crafted varenyky. Each spoonful, each bite, transports us thousands of miles away to the rolling fields and warm kitchens of Ukraine, yet grounds us firmly in the welcoming spirit of the Okanagan.
A Ukrainian Heart with Local Soul
What makes Andriy and Julia’s cuisine so remarkable isn’t just its authenticity – it’s how they’ve lovingly woven local Okanagan ingredients into their traditional recipes. Every dish tells a story of adaptation and resilience, of a family that fled the sounds of sirens and uncertainty to create something beautiful and nurturing in their new home.
Their story is one of incredible courage. Andriy, who once served as a soldier in the Ukrainian army, and Julia, who still calls her grandmother twice daily in Russian-occupied territory, have transformed their pain into purpose. They’ve created more than just a café; they’ve built a bridge between cultures, a sanctuary where the flavors of their homeland can flourish in Canadian soil.
Community Champions and Hockey Victories
The ripple effects of their kindness extend far beyond Summerland’s borders. When we gather for our Ukrainian language classes in Kamloops, and when Andriy’s son scores goals on the hockey rink – living his Canadian dream one game at a time – we celebrate these victories with slices of that incredible honey cake. Each celebration becomes a testament to the beautiful fusion of Ukrainian spirit and Canadian opportunity.
The Summerland community has embraced this family with open arms, recognizing that in supporting the Sunflower Café, they’re not just enjoying exceptional food – they’re participating in a story of hope, resilience, and cultural preservation.
A Dream for Kamloops
As we stand with Ukraine near Kamloops City Hall each week, our supporters often speak wistfully of how wonderful it would be to have a taste of authentic Ukrainian hospitality right here in our own city. We dream of the day when Andriy might expand his loving enterprise to Kamloops, where our weekly gatherings of Ukrainian supporters could conclude not just with solidarity, but with the warmth of genuine Ukrainian café culture.
Kamloops desperately needs what Andriy and Julia offer – not just exceptional food, but a gathering place where the Ukrainian diaspora and curious locals can come together, share stories, and celebrate the beautiful complexity of our multicultural tapestry.
An Invitation to Experience Ukraine in Canada
To everyone reading this story, I extend a heartfelt invitation: visit the Sunflower Ukrainian Café in Summerland. Taste the medivnyk that’s made with love and memories. Savor the borscht that carries the warmth of Ukrainian winters. Experience the varenyky that represent generations of culinary wisdom.
But more than that, meet Andriy and Julia. Learn their story. Understand that when you support their business, you’re not just enjoying a meal – you’re participating in one of Canada’s most beautiful traditions: offering newcomers not just safety, but the opportunity to share their gifts with all of us.
Gratitude for Open Hearts
To the Summerland community: thank you for recognizing that the Sunflower Ukrainian Café isn’t just a business – it’s a cultural treasure. Thank you for allowing the Ukrainian spirit to shine brightly in your valley, for giving Andriy and Julia the platform they needed to support their family while enriching all our lives.
In a world that often feels divided, places like the Sunflower Ukrainian Café remind us that food is a universal language of love, that hospitality transcends borders, and that sometimes the most beautiful flowers bloom in the most unexpected gardens.
The taste of Ukraine has found its home in the Okanagan, and we are all richer for it.
Visit Sunflower Ukrainian Café at 13229 Victoria Road, Summerland, BC. Follow them on Instagram @sunfloweruacafe and Facebook. For catering and meal delivery services, call 250-809-9931.
References
Arendt, J. (2023, April 5). Ukrainian pastry chef working at Summerland restaurant gets help to fulfill dream. Vernon Morning Star. https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/ukrainian-pastry-chef-working-at-summerland-restaurant-gets-help-to-fulfill-dream-3358721
Bravery Foundation. (2025). Sunflower Ukrainian Cafe stands with the Okanagan. https://braveryfoundation.com/sunflowerukrainiancafestandswiththeokanagan-483709-266344-651284.html
Walton, D. (2023, July 1). Ukrainian refugees find new lives as coffee shop owners in Summerland. iNFOnews.ca. https://infotel.ca/inwine/ukrainian-refugees-find-new-lives-as-coffee-shop-owners-in-summerland/it99154
Walton, D. (2023, November 11). Ukrainians’ cafe blooming in Summerland. Penticton Herald. https://www.pentictonherald.ca/life/article_392e74dc-8027-11ee-87be-7b170c0cfbd3.html
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