Maria Minciună is a talented cook from Slobozia Mare, Cahul district. Aunt Masha, as the locals and her customers call her, turned her passion for gastronomy into a business.

The canned vegetables, jams, sauces, and liqueurs made by Aunt Masha are the delight of visitors. Her storeroom is home for rich flavours, ranging from fig, acacia blossom, or elderflower jam to cherry tomato jam and berry liqueurs.

Aunt Masha received a grant of €4,200 as part of the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF.

Equipment for the gastronomic workshop (wood burners, chopper, dishwasher, scales) was purchased thanks to a grant from the EU. Aunt Masha has also registered her trademark.

Tradition and innovation have their special place in Aunt Masha’s kitchen and guests and tourists stand in line to taste her culinary specialties.

Moreover, guests can learn how to cook the renowned dumata using a local recipe, as well as couscous, or paprika.  

Aunt Masha is proud to preserve the traditions and has opened the door for tourists who wish to enjoy traditional food and admire the unique artifacts from the southern part of the country.

The “EU4Moldova: Focal regions” Programme (2019-2024) supports intelligent, inclusive and sustainable social-economic development in the regions of Cahul and Ungheni to ensure better standards of living to the citizens. The programme has a total budget of €23 million, it is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).