Exploring Life & Business with Sergey Pokanevych of Chef Sergey’s Bakery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sergey Pokanevych

Hi Sergey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Sergey Pakanevych. I am a restaurateur, chef, and well-known video blogger from Ukraine. My audience exceeds one million followers, and I am proud to have inspired many people to experiment with cooking and develop a love for authentic food. My career began during my student years at the lowest level—peeling potatoes in a kitchen. But over the years, I progressed significantly: I became the brand chef of a major restaurant chain and later opened five successful restaurants in my hometown of Odesa.

My life was vibrant and fulfilling. I created new dishes, worked with my team, filmed videos, ran a culinary school, and inspired people. It seemed that nothing could disrupt this stable rhythm. But everything changed on the morning of February 24, 2022.

That day, my family and I woke to the sound of explosions. Our apartment shook, windows rattled, and fear settled in our hearts. Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Bombs rained down on cities, and people fled for their lives. That day, I realized that our lives would never be the same.

We couldn’t stand by idly. We had stockpiles of food in our warehouses, and instead of sitting in fear, we decided to act. Together with my team, we started preparing hot meals for those in greatest need. Every day, we distributed food at train stations where refugees arrived from war zones and at borders where people stood for hours waiting. Among them were children, elderly people, entire families who had left everything behind. We worked despite the danger because we understood that someone’s life depended on us at that moment.

But the war continued, and it became clear to us that our ten-year-old son Leon’s safety was our top priority. We decided to leave Ukraine. The United States had always been a country we admired, but the idea of moving seemed nearly impossible. We had no relatives, no friends—no one waiting for us there. However, the “Uniting for Ukraine” program opened a window of opportunity for us.

My wife Christina discovered Facebook groups where Ukrainians were looking for sponsors. We shared our story and received responses from five families. Kathy and Paul Gwizdala from Michigan touched us with their sincerity. They not only provided us with housing but also helped with documents, adaptation, and everything needed to make us feel safe. These people became like family to us.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After a few months in Caro, we decided to move to Midland to start building our lives anew. I took a job as a chef at a local restaurant. My wife found work as a marketer, and Leon started attending an American school where he began learning English from scratch. It was challenging: a new language, new people, but we believed we could manage.

In Midland, we met Natalia and Maga, another Ukrainian family who had fled the war. Natalia owned a chain of coffee shops in Ukraine, and Maga managed a smoothie bar on the shores of the Black Sea. Their story, like ours, was full of pain but also a drive for something new. We quickly bonded and decided to combine our expertise to create something unique.

After moving to Midland and just starting to settle into our new home, we came across an article in a local newspaper. It mentioned a charity dinner in honor of Ukraine. We felt this was no mere coincidence. It was something more—a sign that we were not alone here. The name of the event—Global Compassion—already sounded like an invitation to warmth and unity.

At the dinner, we met an incredible woman, Indira Oskvarek. She is the founder of the non-profit organization Global Compassion. From the very beginning, she showed us care and kindness. Indira—a woman with a big heart—helps others not for recognition but because she sees it as her duty. She approached us, learned our story, and said, “How wonderful that you are here. It’s a true miracle because there are almost no Ukrainians in Midland.” She invited us to join the preparation of the next dinner and share a piece of Ukrainian culture with the local community.

We agreed without hesitation. In the church kitchen, together with Natalia, Maga, and American volunteers, we cooked borscht, stuffed cabbage rolls, and other Ukrainian dishes. It was a moving experience: we were once again able to return to what we did best—cooking, sharing warmth, and bringing people together at the table. During the dinner, I took the stage and shared our story. It was a moment of sincerity where pain intertwined with hope. And that’s when John Pfenninger entered our lives.

John approached us after the dinner. He was a man radiating kindness and wisdom. He said he had grown up in a farming family but managed to become a doctor, walking a long path toward his dream. John offered his support, handed me his business card, and added, “Sergey, if you need help, just say so. We are all here for this.” This was not just a gesture—it was a moment that changed our future.

We met with John shortly afterward, and he asked me, “Sergey, how can I help you? Do you need money?” I looked him in the eye and replied, “No, I can earn money myself. Help me reclaim my life. Help me open a restaurant.”

John agreed without hesitation. He believed in us. This is how our new path began. We set ourselves an ambitious goal: to find a suitable space that could become the home for our restaurant. But reality turned out to be complicated: we spent eight months searching, meeting with building owners, speaking with businesspeople and corporate leaders. We shared our story and plans, but each time, something didn’t work out. Some places were too expensive, others unsuitable, and sometimes people simply didn’t believe we could succeed. There were moments of despair, but we didn’t give up. We believed we would find our chance.

And that chance appeared. It was a small space in downtown Midland, on Ashman Circle. At first glance, it seemed modest, but we immediately felt its potential. We realized we could start with something smaller than a restaurant. This decision allowed us to take our first step—opening a bakery and coffee shop.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Thanks to John and Indira, who believed in us, we were able to gather donations. These funds allowed us to purchase the building. It was our first victory. Now we had our own place, our foundation. And because we had this building, we were able to apply for a loan from Midland Foundation, which granted us $400,000. This money was intended for a complete remodeling of the space and the purchase of equipment.

Renovation began in January 2024. It was a monumental project requiring incredible effort. We started by working with an architect who helped us rethink the space. We replaced everything—from floors and ceilings to HVAC systems and walls. Every corner of the building was completely renewed. We weren’t just creating a space but a place that would become a symbol of a new beginning. Our building, like our entire story, was made “from scratch.”

We dedicated an entire year to this work. It was a challenging journey full of stress and countless decisions, big and small. Every day we moved forward, knowing we were creating something unique. Chef Sergey’s Bakery became our dream turned into reality. Every detail here speaks of our journey—of pain and hope, of faith and love for our craft.

Now we stand on the threshold of opening. This is not just a bakery—it’s a place where everyone can taste Europe and feel the warmth of our hearts. Welcome to Chef Sergey’s Bakery.

Chef Sergey’s Bakery is ready to open its doors in January 2025, and we are not just opening a bakery—we are creating a place that will become the heart of Midland, a true European gem in the center of Michigan.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sergeysbakery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergeysbakery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chef.sergeys.bakery/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SergeiPokanevich