Anastasia Zolotarev

Anastasia Zolotarev is an Eastern European-Australian cookbook author and recipe developer based in Sydney.

In 2025 she has just launched her debut international cookbook called Sour Cherries and Sunflowers.

Anastasia was born in Belarus where her mother grew up but shortly after moved to Kharkiv, Ukraine to live where her father was born and raised. Living as a multigenerational family with her parents and grandparents in Ukraine she sustained memorable moments from her early years. Her family migrated to Australia is 1994.

In her 20s, she worked in marketing for a large events and hospitality company in Sydney where she was inspired to pursue her passion for food. Anastasia decided to enter Masterchef Australia and in 2016 she competed as a contestant on the show.

After Masterchef, Anastasia took on work experience at several of Sydney's finest restaurants including Firedoor, Quay and Bells at Kilcare. Passionate about food and creativity, she began to write recipes, explore food photography and create food content for big brands such as Harris Farm Markets and Hello Fresh.

Anastasia went back to visit Ukraine and Belarus after a long time away. This visit was transformational as she felt compelled to begin documenting, researching and cooking the food of her heritage.

Anastasia is passionate about connecting food with community. In recent years she has run several fundraising events in support of Ukraine including Unicef Ukraine and an NGO for missing children of war. She also hosts intimate supper clubs and workshops where she teaches home cooks how to make piroshky, honey cake and other signature Eastern European recipes.

Anastasia lives in Sydney with her husband and their two children.

Instagram @anastasiazolotarev

Substack @atableinbetween