Meet Kostiantyn Mukhin | Sunflower Ukrainian Foods
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kostiantyn Mukhin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kostiantyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My passion for food and bringing people together has always driven me. I started my first restaurant in Ukraine with a vision of not just serving meals but creating a place where people could gather, enjoy great food, and feel like part of a family. For me, cooking is more than a profession—it’s a way to connect with others and share a piece of my culture.
After building my restaurant from scratch and seeing it thrive, I knew that creating a welcoming space where customers could enjoy Ukrainian and European cuisine was my true calling. When the war in Ukraine forced my family to leave, I had to leave behind everything I’d built. However, the desire to continue sharing my love for food didn’t go away.
Since arriving in the US, I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive feedback I’ve received from those who’ve tried my food. Almost every person asks where they can find my restaurant, and that support has been a major driving force in my goal to start again here. My dream is to once again have a place where I can bring people together over delicious meals and share the culinary traditions of my homeland.
Starting my business here is not just about rebuilding what I lost—it’s about fulfilling my passion and creating something that makes people happy. I want to give my new community the same warmth and joy that my restaurants in Ukraine gave to our customers. For now, I’m sharing my food through catering and events, serving food at farmers markets, but I’m working hard to one day invite you all to my own restaurant where you can experience the full range of Ukrainian and European flavors!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is all about sharing authentic Ukrainian cuisine, which has been at the heart of my career and passion. What sets me apart is my deep connection to my culture and the love I pour into every dish. I owned two restaurants in Ukraine before the war, and they weren’t just places where people came to eat—they were places where people could truly connect. I worked hard to create a special atmosphere that brought hearts and minds together. My goal was always to make people feel at home and part of a community, and I aim to recreate that same feeling here in the US.
I am most proud of the feedback I’ve received since arriving in the US—people are excited about my food, and that motivates me every day. Almost everyone who tries my dishes tells me how much they enjoy the flavors and asks where they can find my restaurant. Even though I don’t have a permanent location yet, I’m thrilled to be able to share my cooking through catering and events for now. Hearing that people appreciate what I create gives me a sense of accomplishment and pushes me toward my dream of opening a restaurant here.
Getting to where I am today business-wise hasn’t been easy. The war forced my family to flee Ukraine, and I had to leave behind everything I had built—my restaurants, my team, and my regular customers. Starting over in a new country, with a different culture and market, was a huge challenge. But I knew I couldn’t give up. The hardest part was rebuilding from scratch, but I focused on what I love—cooking and bringing joy to people through food.
I’ve learned many lessons along the way. One of the biggest is that resilience and passion can carry you through even the hardest times. It wasn’t easy leaving everything behind, but I’ve embraced the new opportunities that have come my way. I’ve also learned the value of community. The support I’ve received from both Ukrainians and Americans has been overwhelming, and it has reminded me that, even in difficult times, people come together.
What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that my food is a reflection of who I am—a person who has faced challenges but continues to persevere. My cuisine is an invitation to experience a piece of Ukraine, with its rich flavors and traditions, brought to life in every dish. My goal is not just to serve food but to create a welcoming space where people can connect, enjoy themselves, and be part of something special.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d want to show them the best of Colorado. We’d start with a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater for a morning hike and incredible views, followed by lunch in the nearby town. I’d also take them to Rocky Mountain National Park for a day of exploring the mountains, hiking, and a picnic by the lake. We’d definitely check out the local food scene, from great restaurants in Denver and Golden to craft breweries. I’d make sure they experience an adventure like white water rafting, and finish the trip with some relaxation at the hot springs. There’s so much to see and do here—from the mountains to the cities—Colorado never disappoints!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my deepest gratitude and recognition to my wife and daughter. Their love, support, and strength have been my constant source of inspiration throughout this journey. My wife stood by me every step of the way, from the days when we first built our restaurants in Ukraine to when we had to make the difficult decision to leave everything behind and start over in the US. Her unwavering belief in me and our dream has kept me going, even in the toughest moments.
My daughter, who is now 8, has shown incredible resilience through it all. She reminds me every day of what’s truly important—family, love, and the joy of life. Watching her grow and thrive, despite the challenges we’ve faced, motivates me to keep pushing forward and to create something she can be proud of.
I also want to acknowledge the wonderful people here in the US who have welcomed us and embraced my cooking. Their kind words, joy from the food I cook and encouragement have played a huge role in my desire to rebuild my dream restaurant. But at the heart of it all, my wife and daughter are the ones who give me the strength to keep going. I couldn’t do this without them.
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