Vadym Granovskiy is quality focused coffee entrepreneur, United Kingdom Cezve/Ibrik Championship winner and World Cezve/Ibrik Championship finalist, TEDx speaker and founder of Coffee in Action. 

Born in Cherkasy, Ukraine in 1979 he moved to London, United Kingdom in 2001. Vadym spent two years in Bali, Indonesia, pursuing his growing interest in coffee. Returning to Europe in 2013 Vadym became a member of Specialty Coffee Association and went through London School of Coffee education program.

He competed in United Kingdom Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Istanbul in 2013 representing Ukraine, reaching finals and respectable fourth place. 

Vadym won United Kingdom Cezve/Ibrik Championship 2014 and represented United Kingdom in World Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Rimini, reaching top six.

He returned to Ukraine to organize the inaugural Ukraine Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Lviv in 2014 and  Ukraine Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Kyiv in 2015.  

Vadym was invited to speak at Tedx Kyiv in 2014 with his TED talk focusing on how coffee culture change human society and modern people lives.

After serving a Sensory Judge at the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Dubai in 2016, Vadym returned to Kyiv to focus on opening his first coffee shop Coffee in Action.

Coffee in Action now tops the rating of TripAdvisor’s Kyiv coffee houses and has two Traveler’s Choice Awards  as well as multiple nominations for  Best Coffee House by SALT National Restaurant Award. 

Vadym worked on a number of coffee consulting projects,  including  London’s HIDE restaurant, by Russian entrepreneur Evgeny Chichvarkin and Babaji, by British restaurateur Alan Yau. In Ukraine, he conducted consulting projects with Fozzy Group and Silpo supermarkets, Good Wine and McDonald’s.

Coffee in Action became known as premium coffee catering supplier in Ukraine and internationally after working with likes of Microsoft, Visa, Mastercard, Dell, Lexus, Rolls-Royce, Honda, Audi, Wargaming, Philip Morris, Join Up, Ukrsibbank, Curaprox, Horizon Capital, British American Tobacco, Pernod Ricard, Leopolis Jazz Fest.

Vadym served as Jury member for SALT National Restaurant Award in 2017 and 2018.

Vadym and Coffee in Action had a honour to serve coffee at Ukraine House Davos at World Economic Forum in 2019 and 2020 and Ukraine House Toronto at Ukraine Reform Conference  2019 in Toronto.

During  pandemic Vadym conducted online coffee workshops  for Visa Cashless Forum and CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP in Kyiv, broadcasted worldwide.

In August 2021, Coffee in Action had a honour to serve coffee to guests of the inaugura First Ladies Summit, held at the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. 

Vadym has created a number of signature drinks for likes of Rolls-Royce, Philip Morris or Pernod Ricard but it was his signature Flat Red created for Lexus, which has become a new coffee classic in Kyiv, becoming a destination drink for Kyiv visitors and making Vadym the hero of Ideal Taste advertising campaign by Lexus, created by BBDO Ukraine. 

Passionate and eloquent coffee lecturer Vadiym is a frequent guest on TV, radio and other media promotion specialty coffee. At various times, he wrote coffee columns for L’Officiel Hommes Ukraine, Novoye Vremya, Liga and other popular media. 

Vadym regularly conducts educational workshops, lectures and coffee tastings, while working on his first book.

Coffee in Action is now solely focused on supporting Ukrainian army. Vadym made it a mission to bring good quality coffee to the armed forces of Ukraine, opening a charity fund to support Ukranian army with Coffee Care project, supplying coffee and brewing equipment.

To quote Vadym:

I use coffee to talk to the world.

Coffee with Ukrainian soul, with message of identity and message of truth. Coffee diplomacy to help Ukraine to protect our natural and cultural heritage. Most importantly, defend our country from Russian invasion  –  the biggest test to European and world stability since World War II.

We have shown the world we will prevail in our battle for freedom. My mission is to tell our story by every cup.

Vadym is now looking to use his passion for coffee and experience to share his story through  interview and event opportunities, collaborations  or products to drum up support to raise funds for Coffee Care project.

He can be reached on vadim.granovskiy@gmail.com

Ievgen Klopotenko is a famous Ukrainian chef, and co-owner of 100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered (100 Years back to the future) restaurant in Kyiv and Inshi (Others) bistro in Lviv.

As a chef, Ievgen is on a mission to revive centuries-old Ukrainian recipes, modernize them and show Ukrainian rich heritage through food. He favours local ingredients in the true farm-to-table approach. In 2020, he launched the initiative to get borscht recognized as Ukraine’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. In 2021 Ievgen has been recognized as one of the most promising leaders in the world of gastronomy and entered 50 Next, a global list of 50 people under 35 who are shaping the future of gastronomy.

Ievgen has a culinary YouTube channel and culinary website klopotenko.com offering clear, but diverse recipes of everyday dishes. It is the most popular recipes websites in the Ukrainian language.

After the Russian invasion, his Kyiv restaurant 100 rokiv tomy vpered become a frontline canteen to feed anyone who needs it. In March 2022 during the war, Ievgen opened another restaurant Inshi in Lviv, where he and his team are cooking for Ukrainians displaced by the war, including those who are fleeing from the horrific violence in Mariupol.

Henry Thomas Marsh

Neurosurgeon.

Working in Ukraine for 30 years.

Three best seller – Do No Harm, Admissions, And Finally, about life as a brain surgeon and then cancer patient.

Invitation to a charity Auction and Dinner for Ukraine.

What Are Healing Gardens?

The term “healing garden” is a type of garden or green space specifically designed to promote healing, relaxation, and wellbeing for individuals who may be experiencing physical or emotional stress. These gardens can be found in hospitals, or healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, and even private homes that aim to improve health outcomes. 

Throughout the history of humanity humans and nature live side by side, that’s why healing gardens often incorporate elements of nature such as plants, flowers, water features, and natural light. The design of the garden is carefully planned to create a calming and peaceful atmosphere. The use of colors, textures, and scents is also important, as they can have a positive effect on the mind and body.

It is scientifically proven that spending time in a healing garden can have a number of benefits. 

• Pain distraction. Generally people find nature exciting. Its sense and sound can absorb our mind and distract us from pain and discomfort.
• Reduces stress and anxiety. Nature provides a time-out  from the constant  competing in our busy lives. Because humans find nature inherently thrilling, we don’t have to make an effort to focus on it when we are present in an environment full of green plants, flowers, water etc This reduces mental fatigue and refreshes the mind.
• Plants offer psychological comfort and improvement in overall sense of wellbeing and hopefulness.

Healing gardens can be designed for a variety of purposes. Some may be created specifically for patients undergoing medical treatment, while others may be very helpful for caregivers, family members, or staff members who may be experiencing stress or burnout. They can be used as a safe space for those who face negative emotions, pain and stress very often. 

Overall, healing gardens will provide a valuable resource for doctors, medical personnel, patients and their families in the East of Ukraine. Because right now they more than then ever face pain and distraction almost every day.  By creating a calming and peaceful environment, these gardens can help to promote healing and wellbeing, and can provide a much-needed break from the challenges of their daily life.