A Transformation Table first: a chef who is mother of one of our Tamadas! When Tamada Cristina Turcu told us that her mother was a chef and had moved to Charleston, we knew we wanted her to cook for Transformation Table. Luckily, she said yes! 

Moldovan cuisine is distinguished by simple, fresh, and natural ingredients prepared in delicious traditional recipes and inherited through generations. Often served with wine, Moldova is the 20th largest wine producer in the world and has about 200 big and small wine producers. We welcome chef Filicia to the Table!

Chef Filicia Turcu

Chef Felicia Turcu is from the Eastern European country of Moldova. She knew since childhood that she wanted to be a chef and worked in the culinary industry for over 35 years. Felicia graduated from the Culinary Program from the Technical College of Moldova, and after completing her studies, she worked at a soviet cantina for 15 years.  

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Felicia had to leave home and work to support her family. She developed a culinary career in Moscow, Russia, where she worked at a restaurant that served traditional Ukrainian and Russian cuisines. She also worked at a cafeteria in an international university, where she had to meet the variety of tastes of students from all over the world. It was here that she learned to make desserts and became a pastry chef. 

Filicia later opened her own restaurant in Moldova, where she cooked her favorite dishes. The whole family was involved in running the business and serving customers.  She is now retired and is thankful to God for being able to perform the profession she has always loved, and to bring joy to people through the food she prepares. Felicia moved from Chicago to Charleston in July 2022.