Mariia Banko is a food journalist, author, and researcher of culinary culture. For over 15 years, she has worked on initiatives connected to the hospitality industry and food culture.

In 2022, Banko launched War Cookbook — a project that documents and explores how the war has shaped the food practices of Ukrainians. In 2025, she completed a master’s degree in Public History and Memory Studies at the Kyiv School of Economics. Her research interests include food and memory studies as well as the history of everyday life. Mariia is also the author of numerous public lectures and popular articles in the field of food studies.