A Legacy of Flavor and Family
About Babunya’s Gourmet Spice
Babunya’s Gourmet Spice is more than a seasoning blend. It is the story of a grandmother, a journey across continents, and a family tradition built on resilience, love, and unforgettable flavor. At the heart of our brand is Janina Kostiw — our Babunya. “Babunya” means Grandmother in Ukrainian, and that is exactly who she was to us: the heart of our home and the soul behind every recipe.
From Ukraine to Brazil: A Story of Courage
Janina Kostiw was born on May 5, 1926, in the western part of Ukraine — a region that, due to shifting borders after the war, is now considered part of Poland. Her father, Michael, was a veterinarian, and her mother, Karolina, managed the farm and raised their five children. Janina was the middle child.
Sensing instability in Eastern Europe after the war, her father made the difficult decision to leave. The family sold everything they owned and departed for Italy, joined by extended relatives. When opportunities in Italy proved uncertain, they heard about free land being offered in Brazil. Believing he could cultivate farmland and serve as a veterinarian to local farmers, Michael moved the family again.
From the age of two, Babunya grew up in rural Brazil, on farmland at the edge of the jungle. Life was simple — and demanding. There was no electricity, no running water, no modern conveniences. Meals were made from scratch. Spices were blended by hand using family recipes passed down through generations and enhanced with local Brazilian ingredients.
Those early years shaped the seasoning that would one day become Babunya’s Gourmet Spice.
A New Beginning in Brazil
As a young woman, Janina moved to Porto Alegre, Brazil, where she met Thomasz Kostiw, also from Ukraine. In 1943, they married and began building their life together.
Family, Food & Tradition
While Thomasz ran a successful construction company, Babunya devoted herself to raising their children and preparing remarkable meals using her treasured family seasoning blend.
A Journey to America
In 1967, the family immigrated to the United States and settled in Jersey City, New Jersey, carrying their traditions and flavors with them.
Determined & Dream-Driven
Though she spoke nine languages, English was the last she learned. With determination and strength, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of working outside the home, taking a position in Manhattan’s historic Woolworth Building.
Flavor Without Borders
Yet no matter where she lived — Ukraine, Brazil, or the United States — her cooking remained extraordinary. And always, she used her signature seasoning blend.
From Family Secret to Gourmet Spice Company
As her children grew older, they began to appreciate the magic of her cooking. She never measured. She seasoned by instinct — by sight and taste. Wanting to preserve her techniques, her son began videotaping her in the kitchen to capture her methods.
Wherever life took him, friends and coworkers raved about the dishes he prepared using her spice blend. Requests poured in for small batches of the “secret family seasoning.” Eventually, he and his wife Marlén made a decision: this family treasure needed to be shared.
In January 2009, Babunya’s Gourmet Spice was officially introduced — with Janina’s photograph proudly displayed on every bottle.
She was surprised, honored, and deeply touched.
She attended trade shows, signed bottles, shared recipes, and posed for photos. Watching people fall in love with her seasoning brought her immense joy.
Though we lost her in January at the age of 89, her legacy lives on in every jar.
A Seasoning Fit for a First Lady
One unforgettable moment captures her extraordinary talent. While working at an antique furniture store in New York City, the owners were hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for a special guest when their chef became ill. In a moment of panic, they asked if anyone could cook.
They had no idea that Janina Kostiw — their employee — was an exceptional cook.
She prepared the full Thanksgiving meal. The dinner was a tremendous success. Only afterward did she discover that the special guest she had cooked for was former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her children. Impressed by the meal, Mrs. Onassis personally thanked her and invited her to cook again for future occasions.
It was yet another testament to the power of her secret family gourmet seasoning.
Our Commitment Today
Babunya’s Gourmet Spice continues her tradition by using only high-quality ingredients. Our seasoning is:
No gluten
No MSG
High-quality ingredients
No preservatives or additives
It remains “Great for Anything That Walks, Swims, or Flies — Game or Tame, It’s All the Same.”
Every bottle reflects generations of heritage, hard work, and heart.
Carry the Legacy Forward
When you purchase Babunya’s Gourmet Spice, you’re not just buying seasoning — you’re becoming part of a story that spans Ukraine, Brazil, and the American dream.
Taste the tradition. Share it with your family. Keep Babunya’s legacy alive at your table.