The annexation of the Crimea to the Russian Federation has worked as obvious catalyst of growing national identity of the Russian people. The event has left its imprint on the Russian market as well. Hence creating Russian food chain is finally on the table! Having tasted nearly all cuisines of the world possible, we are ready to look closer at our traditional time-tested recipes.
Up with Russian Cuisine!
Recently Vadim Solovyov, a deputy of the State Duma has suggested establishing the obligation for all restaurants and cafes (those without any ethnic specialization) to have no less than 50 per cent of traditional Russian dishes on the menu. This idea was prompted by international delegations that came to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations. "They complained that in the very heart of Moscow, near the Red Square they could not find and taste traditional Russian cuisine", - Mr. Solovyov pointed out.
Public Response
His offer gained resonance among the public. Igor Bukharov, the president of Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Russia declared that restaurants and cafes are ready to actively develop the traditional Russian cuisine provided they get appropriate tax concessions and releives from the state.
Earlier the famous Russian film directors Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrey Konchalovsky appealed to the RF President to support them in founding a domestic fast food chain called Eating at Home! that would use Russian food products mostly.
Back in spring 2015 the head of the state called regional deputies for encouraging and supporting development of public catering on the basis of national cuisines, which could compete with McDonald's in the regions of Russia. It implied giving certain preferences to small and medium enterprises of the kind.
So What about Regions?
Development of the Russian fast food on the basis of ethnic cuisines is going at full speed in the numerous regions of Russia. People in Khakassia talk about replacement of American hamburgers with national dishes. Kazan boasts the popular food chain Tatmak, which serves traditional Tatar dishes along with pizza. Dwellers of Udmurtia Republic frequent cafes with the famous Finno-Ugric recipy of pelmeni, i.e. dumplings.
Russian scientists of the Arctic in Nadym have developed local food reicpes based on reindeer lichen and other Arctic vegetation. The research centre develops various eco- and nano- products. Among the latest inventions there is lichen chocolate, tundra bread, moss sweets, and what not!
To Your Health!
After all, the tendency of going back to the roots and reviving traditional local recipes is very natural and healthy, as soon as it gives an opportunity to reconsider and decrease unwholesome fast food that has taken over us. It is a matter of preserving both our health and ethnic cultures. Besides, it might help foreign tourists better feel the taste of Russia and broaden the associative field far beyond Russian caviar and pancakes, nested dolls and vodka.

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