Immigrant Foodways: Vánočka

This holiday season, learn how to make a traditional Czech meal and lots of desserts from Czech-born Chef Tom Slepicka. Join us for our first Czech and Slovak Christmas Cooking and Baking Series, and enjoy a premier cooking class from the comfort of your home.

Vánočka is often called “Houska” in the USA. The name “vánočka” comes from “Vánoce”, which means Christmas in Czech. It is a scrumptious sweet bread with raisins and almonds which is very common to serve on Christmas morning in the Czech Republic. (Remember, Christmas morning in the Czech Republic is December 24.) It can be served plain, with butter, or with butter and preserves/jam. Because it is very delicious, people buy it in the Czech Republic all year long.

Note: Suitable for vegetarians

Slepicka graduated from culinary school in his hometown, Brno, located in the Czech Republic. While still in school, he established a successful full-service catering company which operated in the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Austria. Slepicka moved to the U.S. with his wife in 2014. From 2015-16, he operated the Czech Deli at the NewBo City Market. The goal of his courses is to make tasty and high-quality meals accessible to everyone.