In Polissia, the method of making a real culinary work of art is preserved. Pieces of pork are carefully sprinkled with salt, pepper, bay leaf, garlic and other fragrant spices and stuffed tightly into a bladder. Next, they tie it up so that no air gets inside, and hang it in the attic, where the meat product matures for several months. This is how a Matsyk makes. Liudmula Kotiash's family improved production, surrounded by family values, humanity and kindness, and created "Dubrovytskyi Matsyk". Liudmula`s daughter Maria spoke about her love for her work, her zeal and success.
She dreamed of making her own, natural, tasty food
Liudmyla Tykhonivna by education is a laboratory technologist of meat and dairy products. All her life she worked at a cooperative where sausage products were made. She decided to move away from this and do something different: she enthusiastically took the family recipe for matsyk, because she saw how her mother made it, and started trying it. The first batch did not work out, but this only added to the woman's ardor. Conducted research on technological processes, temperature, moisture. And so it happened, the first successful party, which was immediately liked by all the family and neighbours.
"The product is tasty, long-lasting, and now popular. Matsyk is a dish that is famous in Polissia, Rivne region and Volyn. This is a national dish that was made, in particular, when there was freshness. In the villages, everyone knew what it was, but no one mass-produced it," says Maria. Then "Dubrovytskyi Matsyk" appeared in Dubrovytsia. After the first successes, different sausages were added to the assortment. A room was built next to the house, where the mats are dried just like before: under a wooden roof, without additives, a completely natural classic recipe.
"We have delegated responsibilities, but we are working for one thing."
Liudmyla and her husband, daughter Maria, son Serhii and several hired workers are engaged in this business. They have a store in Dubrovytsia, several in the region and practice online sales.
Do your work with your soul - people will reach out, and success will find itself
"We are so enthusiastic. They were the first to go to festivals and fairs. Later, they came to us to shoot TV shows, including "Le Marshrutka" with Lesya Nikityuk. People found us themselves, we did not write to anyone and did not particularly advertise.- Maria says. - Also, our product traveled as the national dish of Polissia at the Ukrainian-Polish festival in Rivne, and then there was a delegation to Poland. Due to the quarantine, we could not go, but our product could. Just a few months ago, they came to shoot a plot for "Lia Selo". We love guests, so we gladly showed and told everything."
Of course, like everyone, they want to expand, attract additional funds, develop. But while it is not so easy, there is enough work for the entire "family contract". They are waiting for victory, and then they will develop "Dubrovytskyi Matsyk".
Don’t look for financial gain in everything, and the war proved this once again.
The products of long-term production, there were quite a lot of finished products, and those that had to dry for another month or two. Stores closed and the issue of product sales arose. There was only one way out. They cheered up the military, volunteers, and immigrants with their delicious products. As soon as things stabilised, they started to sell simultaneously, supporting the economy, and to volunteer. "Volunteering in all areas is good. But this is how we are. The guys are in the hospital - we sent [Dubrovytskyi Matsik products], they are on the front - we sent them there too."
Especially military personnel from Polissia and Volyn, who are close to the dish, note that when they taste Matsyk, they remember their mother, father, home, and want to treat boys from other regions. Therefore, customers from the Armed Forces receive discounts, or even no money at all.
You will not earn all the money in the world, but good will come back with good
Maria notes that the family never shows off, does not advertise their good deeds with deeds, and refuse to thank them. This is the nature of my mother, Mrs. Lyudmila, who is a very good-natured person and has never refused help. "I want to take an example from my mother. We want the business to be built on honest principles and qualities of people, and not on business strategies." This is how we work. You do good to people - it will definitely return to you.
