Conversations with Anna Motso

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Motso.

Hi Anna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My husband Dmitry and I are originally from Eastern Europe. After moving to Georgia, we really missed the rich, soulful flavors of the layered cakes, pastries, and comforting foods we grew up with. So in 2025, we started Ivano Eats in our kitchen in Jasper with a simple dream: to bring authentic recipes from our homeland here using high-quality, natural ingredients. We began by making traditional cakes like Medovik Honey Cake and Spartak at local farmers markets. From there we expanded to include our gluten-free honey cake, Dulce de Leche wafers, sweet poppyseed rolls, and two signature sauces — Chernobyl and Slav sauce — which have all become customer favorites. Everything is handmade in small batches with care, just like we would make for our own family. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey — watching people taste something familiar or new and seeing their faces light up makes all the hard work worth it. We’re grateful to be able to share a piece of our culture and passion through food in our new home.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road — starting a food business from our home kitchen came with plenty of challenges. The recipes we use, especially the traditional Medovik honey cake, have been passed down through generations in our family. Even so, adapting them to work consistently in larger batches while maintaining that authentic taste and texture took a lot of practice and many late nights in the kitchen. We also had to learn how to balance baking, packaging, selling at farmers markets, and family life. Weather at outdoor markets, fluctuating ingredient costs, and building a customer base from scratch were all real hurdles. There were moments of doubt, especially on slow market days or when a batch didn’t turn out quite right. But those struggles taught us a lot and made us better. Every time a customer comes back and tells us how much they loved a cake or sauce, it reminds us why we’re doing this. Overall, the challenges have been worth it. They’ve pushed us to improve and stay committed to making quality products we’re truly proud of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a pastry chef by training and have been baking since I was nine years old. I formally studied at the Seattle Community College Pastry Program from 2010 to 2012. Before moving to Georgia, I co-owned and ran Vostok Dumpling House in Seattle, where I created the full menu and recipes, and catered many weddings and private events.
At Ivano Eats, which my husband Dmitry and I started in our Jasper kitchen in 2025, we specialize in traditional Eastern European baked goods. What sets us apart is our focus on authentic flavors from our Eastern European roots, made in small batches with care. We’re most proud of the fact that our desserts are not overbearingly sweet. Many customers tell us how much they appreciate that our cakes and pastries are perfectly balanced in flavor — sweet enough to feel like a treat, but light and nuanced so you can actually enjoy multiple bites. That balance is something we work very hard to achieve. Seeing people light up when they try something familiar or discover a new favorite is incredibly rewarding and keeps us motivated every day.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about Jasper and the surrounding area is the peaceful atmosphere and the genuine close-knit community feel. It’s a place where people still wave at each other, support local businesses, and take time to connect. There’s a real sense of calm and authenticity here that we really appreciate, especially coming from bigger cities.
What I like least? Honestly, I wish more people knew about Jasper! It’s such a hidden gem with beautiful surroundings, friendly people, and a strong sense of community. I hope more folks discover this special place — it deserves to be known and celebrated.

Contact Info:

• Website: currently in progress
• Instagram: ivanoeats
• Facebook: Ivano Eats