Eating traditional Doukhobor borscht is a common Kootenay experience. The hearty soup has an orange hue, unlike the purple-red of other beet soups, and is rich to the point of decadence, with whipping cream, butter, cabbage, celery, tomato, and four different root vegetables. Enjoying a warm bowl of it is like being hugged by a matronly Doukhobor baba.

That’s why we’re excited to announce the Doukhobor Discovery Centre will be hosting its fourth Borscht Cook-off on Saturday September 28, 2024 starting at 11am. A variety of different recipes will be served by 15 contestants, who will prepare their soup at home and then bring a minimum of three gallons to share with attendees. Each of the entries will be judged by a panel at 11am and then the event opens to the public at 12pm. Everything will wrap up at 2pm.

The event is a great way to experience and learn about Doukhobor culture and history in Canada and British Columbia. It will be held at the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, which is a reconstruction of a typical Doukhobor village, circa 1908-1939, with all of the major buildings, tools, handicrafts, and implements used at that time.

The Doukhobors fled persecution in Russia at the turn of the last century because, as a pacifist, communal people, they refused to take up arms to fight for the Czar. They were, and still are, legendary for their farming prowess and they chose to settle in Castlegar for the excellent soil here. It goes without saying that food is an important part of the culture and Ryan Dutchak, the Centre’s director says, “foods bring people together, they connect us to specific places, to our families, to our own heritage, and help promote cross-cultural understanding.”

The Cook-Off is open to people of all ages and entry will cost $20. Attendees are welcome to taste the different varieties of borscht and will receive a custom designed mug upon entry as well as a serving of cheese and bread to enjoy with their borscht. All the displays and exhibits at the museum will be free to view.

For more information about the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, visit doukhobor-museum.org.