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41 Comments
LeBec F.
February 29, 2016
Usually I accept someone's death in the course of expected daily events, but when I learned yesterday of ana's death, i was overcome with internal misery. She and I had emailed a number of times and I learned about her homeland, her past and her professional piano virtuosity. Her family meant everything to her and her grandkids' love of her traditional and new dishes- gave her great joy. ' Kukla' means "~little doll' as an endearment that one would call a female in their family. She was, as lovely a person as she was accomplished, and I wish every day that grace such as hers would grow in the world.
Madhuja
December 8, 2015
I am so sad to hear this! Kukla was always so nice and supportive. She had the kindest comments. She is going to be missed by this entire community.
Judy
December 7, 2015
Dear Food52,
Thank you for this lovely tribute to Kukla, who clearly valued the community you created for her. Your generous response to this loss by acknowledging her in this very authentic way says so much about all of you. It is commendable and exemplary.
Thank you for this lovely tribute to Kukla, who clearly valued the community you created for her. Your generous response to this loss by acknowledging her in this very authentic way says so much about all of you. It is commendable and exemplary.
Panfusine
December 7, 2015
Sad sad news, it's like losing a friend. Kukla has been such an integral part of our food52 lives. Thank you for your generosity in sharing such wonderful dishes with all of us. Rest in peace
anotherfoodieblogger
December 5, 2015
Oh no! I recognize her name completely, what a sad loss to the food community. Thank you for sharing her recipes, she will be missed.
Nozlee S.
December 3, 2015
I'm so sad to hear this -- I was just home for Thanksgiving and my mother (Food52 user cookingProf!) and I were talking about one of Kukla's recipes.
amadievsky
December 2, 2015
Thank you all for your kind wishes and support. This is the grandson who contacted the editors of Food52. I want to thank them so much for this beautiful and truly moving blog post. When my mother (Kukla's daughter) comes home, I will absolutely show this to her.
BoulderGalinTokyo
December 9, 2015
Dear Grandson,
Thank you for your post. Kukla was one of the most inspiring cooks-she opened up new tastes and recipes to many of us, so very sad.
Thank you for your post. Kukla was one of the most inspiring cooks-she opened up new tastes and recipes to many of us, so very sad.
susan G.
December 10, 2015
Your grandmother had a strong sense of family, food, and how closely woven the two are. I am another who will miss her, and appreciate her recipes all the more.
drbabs
December 2, 2015
I am so sad to read this. Kukla exemplified everything that is great about the Food52 community. I feel like I lost a friend. Thank you for letting us know, and for this sweet tribute to her. I hope her family knows how much we loved and admired her.
luvcookbooks
December 2, 2015
I just browsed kukla's recipes in memory of her. What a trove of history, good food and distinctive photographs. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
mcs3000
December 2, 2015
Beautiful tribute. My fav recipe of hers is those lemon-ricotta bars. My best to her family.
Megan
December 1, 2015
I was so sad to read this. She exemplified so much of what I have always loved about Food52. I will miss seeing her warm and encouraging comments on recipes! My condolences to her family. And thank you F52 for this lovely tribute.
healthierkitchen
December 1, 2015
What a lovely tribute to Kukla and her contribution to food52 and us all. I hope her family will see these comments and know what an impact she had on her online food family here. What a wonderful woman she must have been.
boulangere
December 1, 2015
What sad, sad. news. I will miss her wonderful stories behind her recipes. And what a lovely tribute to a kind, generous, and lovely person. Deep condolences to Kukla's family; the part of herself that she shared with us must pale in comparison to the privilege of being part of her family. How fortunate we have been to know even a small part of her.
creamtea
December 1, 2015
Oh my, oh my, so sad to read this. Kukla will be missed. Condolences to the family.
ChefJune
December 1, 2015
How terribly sad. I felt like she was a good friend.
Think we'll start dinner tonight with those Smoked Salmon Toasts. And a toast to Kukla.
Think we'll start dinner tonight with those Smoked Salmon Toasts. And a toast to Kukla.
Yazoolulu
December 1, 2015
She will indeed be missed. My children fell in love with her Khachapuri - a recipe I doubt I ever would have known about were it not for Kukla and Food52. I am so glad her wonderful recipes are here. I will try a new Kukla recipe in her memory.
monkeymom
December 1, 2015
Thank you for honoring this amazing person and cook. We are so lucky that her recipes are kept here for us to enjoy.
meganvt01
December 1, 2015
So sorry to hear about Kukla's passing - she was such a wonderful part of this community and she will certainly be missed.
cookinginvictoria
December 1, 2015
I too am so sad to hear this news. My heart goes out to all of her loved ones. Kukla was a true food52 gem. I loved her recipes and her boundless warmth and generosity. She will be greatly missed.
My favorite Kukla recipe has to be her Shalotta. But I also love her delicious Smoked Salmon on Mustard-Chive and Dill Butter Toasts, which I make every year for Christmas. :)
My favorite Kukla recipe has to be her Shalotta. But I also love her delicious Smoked Salmon on Mustard-Chive and Dill Butter Toasts, which I make every year for Christmas. :)
gingerroot
December 1, 2015
This is such sad news. I will miss her kindness and warmth - she was an excellent cook and such a supportive member of the community. This is a lovely tribute and a good reminder for me to finally make her Georgian Khachapuri (a specialty served at a cafe when I was in college) in her honor.
lastnightsdinner
December 1, 2015
Rest well, Kukla, and thank you for sharing your food and your kind and generous spirit with us.
amysarah
December 1, 2015
So sorry to hear this. She exemplified the home cooks here that I admire - no pretension, authentic wisdom and a warmth that came through her recipes and words. She'll be missed.
inpatskitchen
December 1, 2015
Kukla was a treasure...kind and helpful to the whole Food52 community. I will miss her and her wonderful recipes very much. Thanks so much for this lovely tribute.
mrslarkin
December 1, 2015
I'm so sorry to hear this. Thank you for the beautiful tribute. We will always remember Kukla for her beautiful kindness, and her delicious recipes.
Greenstuff
December 1, 2015
As much as I appreciate the entire community, I follow only a few, and Kukla was one. She was my go-to authority on Eastern European foods and an all-round inspiration. I'll think about her (and her mother) with every batch of shalotta.
Bevi
December 1, 2015
This is heartbreaking. Kukla was such a kind person and her words of encouragement to all cooks on the site were so welcoming and comforting. I will miss her very, very much. Blessings to her family and friends, who have lost a kind and loving matriarch. May one of the many ways her family and we can remember her is through her delicious recipes.
fiveandspice
December 1, 2015
So sad. We will miss Kukla so much. She and her sunny personality were a treasure.
EmilyC
December 1, 2015
I'm sorry to hear this as well. Thank you for this tribute. How lovely to know that her recipes have traveled so far and wide.
aargersi
December 1, 2015
What a loss for her family and for us here at Food52, Kukla was a true jewel. I am so glad that we are able to know her and remember her through her recipes.
hardlikearmour
December 1, 2015
My heart goes out to Kukla's family. May her many recipes and family food traditions remain a cherished reminder of her throughout their days.
Midge
December 1, 2015
I'm so sorry to hear this. Kukla never ceased to amaze me with her beautiful recipes and vast knowledge of cooking.
Niknud
December 1, 2015
Kukla was always such a wonderful and warm presence on this site. My deepest condolences to her family - please know that she touched many lives here and her online family will miss her as well.
AntoniaJames
December 1, 2015
I am stunned and deeply saddened by this news. Kukla will be sorely missed.
JanetFL
December 1, 2015
So sorry to hear this news. Praying for peace and comfort for her family and friends.
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