“We were so amazed by customers’ hearts”

Thursday 24 March 2022

The Ukrainian co-owner of a Jersey takeaway has pledged to repeat her sell-out pizza fundraiser to help people and animals in her war-torn home country after being “amazed” by the generosity of islanders.

Natalia Baker, who is originally from Odessa, and her partner, Michael Steer, opened up Fresh Crust Pizza Company on their day off on Monday with an aim of selling as many pizzas as they could and donating all profits.

Describing the fundraiser as a "complete success", Natalia and Michael explained that the restaurant ended up having "no choice but to stop taking orders at around 18:30 because we weren't sure if we would have enough stock left for the orders we had in!"

In the end, they raised more than £900.

Natalia's family, including her young nieces and nephews, are currently stuck in Ukraine, living in a bunker to keep safe from overhead missiles.

Pictured: Natalia's relatives living in a bunker to keep safe from overhead missiles. 

Explaining why she felt why it was so important to hold a fundraiser, Natalia said: "People are in need. It's terrible, there's not a lot of food left in the shops, there's not a lot of money."

Noting how everyone is trying to "survive as they can", she added: "I have to help my family and people around in need."

Following the fundraiser, she said her family and friends in Ukraine were "happy" to hear of its success.

Pictured: The Fresh Crust Pizza Company team.

Natalia said she was very grateful to the local community for their generosity.

One example, she said, stood out in particular.

One woman tried to call in but due to the orders flying in and the staff being very busy, they could not answer. The customer called back again, but at that point the restaurant was completely out of stock.

"She just said, 'No worries! I just wanted to pay without taking my order.'"

Pictured: One islander paid 10 times the amount for their pizza order.

Another islander "on collection paid 10 times more than her order, just to donate!"

"We were so amazed by customers' hearts," Natalia added.

After this week's success, Fresh Crust have now decided that they will host a fundraiser for Ukraine every Monday.

Between 17:00 and 20:00, profits from items ordered for collection or delivery will be donated.

Pictured: Natalia Baker and Mike Steer, who run Fresh Crust, described the fundraiser as a "complete success" and pledged to repeat it each Monday.

Another foodie fundraiser for Ukraine is also taking place this week. 

Sustainable co-operative SCOOP have teamed up with the family of Ukrainian Islander Annoshka Kehoe to create a Ukrainian meal for islanders.

Annoshka's mother, twin sister and nephew fled Odessa after the Russian invasion with little more than a backpack each to the Polish border. Once there, they were fortunately able to secure a visa, allowing them to be reunited with Annoshka in Jersey. Sadly, however, Annoshka's brother-in-law had to stay behind to fight.

The family are this afternoon making Ukrainian stuffed dumplings – Varenyky – with potato and caramelised onions, served with sauerkraut, a classic beetroot Borscht soup, and sour cream. A meat version with added local pork is also available. 

Pictured: Borscht is a traditional soup enjoyed in Ukraine, made with red beetroots. 

Collection will be taking place from 15:00 tomorrow.

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"People are in need. It’s terrible, there’s not a lot of food left in the shops"