Festival “Yoshka Yes”: a culinary quest in the heart of the forest

What to expect from “Yoshka Yes”?

If you thought food festivals were just rows of stalls and tastings, “Yoshka Yes” will make you rethink that. Organizers bet on making every guest feel like a participant in a real cultural trek. Over two days you’ll get cooking workshops, live performances, stories about forest legends and, of course, aromatic dishes inspired by nature.

Where and when?

The event is set for mid‑August – the 15th and 16th – and will take place on the grounds of the Medvedevsky racetrack, tucked in the scenic outskirts of Yoshkar‑Ola. The site is easy to reach both for city dwellers and for visitors coming from neighboring regions. It’s spacious enough for several stages, culinary zones and relaxation areas.

This year’s theme: “Forest Whisper”

The core concept is “Forest Whisper”. Organizers treat it as three‑in‑one role of nature: home, temple and chef. Within this idea participants will see traditional recipes woven into the image of the forest, local ingredients (berries, mushrooms, herbs) becoming the stars of the plates, and forest‑spirit legends reflected in the stand designs.

Culinary zones

• Traditional table – here dishes handed down through generations are prepared using only local produce.
• Experimental lab – chefs from various regions try to reinterpret classic recipes, adding “forest” notes.
• Kids workshop – little guests get simple yet tasty activities: from bread baking to making fruit compotes.

Detailed programme

Demonstration cooking shows

Every evening the main stage gathers chefs who cook live. Spectators can watch simple ingredients turn into complex flavor compositions. Often the cooking is accompanied by stories about how a particular product entered local legend.

Folklore performances

Alongside the cooking shows, folk songs, dances and storyteller sessions fill the air. The music is chosen to echo rustling leaves, babbling streams and bird calls – all in the spirit of “Forest Whisper”. For those who want to get fully into the atmosphere, interactive zones let you try traditional crafts.

Workshops for everyone

During the two days workshops are open, where anyone can learn to cook simple yet authentic dishes. Instructors share secrets on using wild herbs, properly sautéing mushrooms and pairing berries with meat. The sessions stay small, so you can ask questions and get personal tips.

How to get there and where to stay?

Yoshkar‑Ola sits in the centre of Russia, reachable by train or bus from major cities. On site the festival offers several accommodation options: hotels in the centre and guesthouses in the suburbs. If you plan to stay a few days, book early – August brings higher demand.

What to bring?

• Comfortable shoes – you’ll be walking a lot across the open area.
• Light clothing, but keep an evening layer in mind; forest‑themed evenings can feel cool.
• An empty stomach – tastings will be plentiful, portions usually modest so you can try everything.

Why go?

“Yoshka Yes” isn’t just a chance to taste new flavors. It’s a chance to see how cuisine intertwines with culture, nature and the region’s history. If gastronomic journeys that treat each dish as a story and each aroma as part of a forest epic appeal to you, this event belongs on your holiday list.

Handy tips

• Arrive in the morning to catch all the workshops, which fill up quickly.
• Bring a small bag for souvenirs – many participants sell homemade foods and hand‑crafted items.
• If you intend to join the cooking contests, check the rules beforehand: sometimes you have to bring your own ingredients.

Final thoughts

To me “Yoshka Yes” looks like a rare chance to fuse gastronomy and nature in one event. In August, when the woods are alive and fragrant herbs are ripe, the festival promises to become a bright spot on any traveler’s map who is hunting new taste horizons.

Based on materials from: atorus.ru.