Ukrainian combat veterans serve up free meals and jobs
“Pizza Veterano” becomes a hit with locals and tourists
A new cafe has opened in central Kyiv offering employment, and free pizza, to veterans of the war in eastern Ukraine.
As well as offering an affordable menu, the resturant named ‘Pizzeria Veterano’ offers a free pizza to every participant who has taken part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation fighting combined Russian-separatist forces in the east of the country.
After coming back from the front line, 28-year old Leonid – who used to work as a pizza chef before joining the Ukrainian armed forces – received financial support from an American with Ukrainian roots and set up shop.
Leonid Ostaltsev, Ukrainian veteran and co-founder of Pizza Veterano: “When I came back from the war, I had a desire – as anyone else – to open my own business. Moreover, I knew that I would not be able to work for someone else because it is difficult to find someone whom I will treat as an authority – a person which would be above me, my boss. I was not sure that he would be a man who served in the armed forces. I would find this difficult.”
At first, the founders did not expect the pizzeria would attract much attention – but now, around 150 guests come to enjoy the pizza each day. The restaurant attracts a motley group, from servicemen in military uniforms to locals and tourists who want to express their support and gratitude to the team of veterans.
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One employee at the pizzeria, 29-year-old Vasiliy says he appreciates the attitude of guests in the busy restaurant.
Vasiliy Tuchkov, Ukrainian veteran and waiter: “People are not fussy eaters here. They are open, easy-going. I have never noticed any rude attitude towards us. People treat us with understanding. We are perceived as someone who is important – not just as a waiter or just a veteran who serves food.”
Another employee, Artem, who just celebrated one month of working in the restaurant, is pleased to have had the opportunity to gain a lot of new cooking knowledge.
Artem, Ukrainian veteran and cook: “I came here and could not even open a jar with an opener because on the frontline we got used to open them with a knife. All scratches on my hands were caused by this opener for jars. At first I had no skills at all. I was just my mum’s home son.”
Anton, a member of a Kyiv-based veteran association, believes there are many common difficulties for former servicemen looking for work.
Anton Kolumbet, member of Kyiv Association of Anti-Terrorist Operation veterans: “People working in Human Resources believe the veteran is an angry, jumpy, nervous person who went through a lot and now faces psychological problems – but everyone has psychological problems – that is why they make a choice not to give us a job. But, in fact, it is not true at all. No-one thinks that participation in military action changes a person for the better, giving new skills – for example management and leadership skills, but the truth is – it does!”
So far there are around 15 veterans working in the restaurant. In the near future the founders plan to add a pizza delivery service around the centre of the Ukrainian capital.
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