Last updated: 2 November 2026.
This page explains honestly how we create, check and update Smakota content — so you know what you can rely on in a recipe and where to take care.
Who we are
Smakota is an independent cooking publication in Ukrainian, English, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Italian and Polish. The Site is owned and developed by Oleksandr Vasylchuk, and the recipes are by Olena Vasylchuk; together they answer for everything we publish.
How recipes are made
Smakota recipes are prepared by our author, Olena Vasylchuk: we base them on published sources and classic technique, compare the ratios and bring them to one form. Every dish follows the same rules:
- quantities in grams and millilitres, not cups;
- realistic timings, including proofing, chilling and marinating;
- steps with visible cues for doneness;
- safe internal temperatures for meat, poultry and fish;
- advice on ingredient swaps and storage.
How we check recipes
Before publishing, every recipe goes through a technical review against one checklist:
- ratios (flour, liquid, sugar, fat, raising and setting agents) follow classic technique;
- cooking temperatures and times are realistic and safe;
- every listed ingredient is used in the steps, and vice versa;
- the yield and number of servings match the quantities;
- diet labels (vegan, lenten, gluten-free and so on) match the ingredients.
Please note: Our recipes are cooked by Olena, who has 20 years of experience in the kitchen. Not every dish is on video yet: she is cooking them one by one for our YouTube channel and corrects a recipe when something does not add up. Every language except Ukrainian is translated with the help of AI, with the same quantities. If a recipe did not work for you or you spot a mistake, let us know and we will check and fix it.
Photos
Dish photos are made with the help of AI as the site’s visual design, in one consistent style. They show roughly what the finished dish looks like, but they are not photographs of a dish cooked from that exact recipe. The recipes themselves rest on classic cooking technique. We never use other people’s photos without permission.
Nutrition and diet labels
Calories and protein, fat and carbohydrate values are approximate per-serving estimates based on typical ingredient reference data; actual values depend on the products you use. Diet labels are editorial guides, not medical advice: people with coeliac disease, allergies or medical conditions should check the labelling of every product and consult a doctor.
Corrections and updates
We fix mistakes as soon as we learn about them. Changes that affect safety, temperatures, timings or quantities are made to the recipe without delay. You can report an error on the Contact page.
Reader ratings
A recipe’s rating is made up only of genuine reader votes. We never add artificial ratings or remove low ones.
Independence, advertising and partnerships
The Site currently has no advertising, sponsored content or affiliate links. If they appear, ads and sponsored content will be clearly labelled as required by law, and affiliate links will carry a separate note. Advertisers have no influence on which recipes we publish or what they say.