On the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Polish writer Witold Szablowski sheds light on the lesser-known story of the cooks who prepared meals for cleanup workers at the site. Raya, one of the cooks, initially confused the disaster at Chernobyl with the nearby Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, where she worked. After the accident, she and six other women were sent to cook for the workers, who faced dire health consequences from radiation exposure. The cooks recalled the eerie sound of dosimeters measuring radiation levels as they prepared food in an abandoned canteen. Despite the state providing high-quality food, much of it went to waste as workers preferred fruit juices and vodka over the delicacies. Years later, Valentina, the head cook, continues to fight for the special pensions promised to them, revealing the ongoing struggles stemming from the disaster. The anniversary of Chernobyl prompts reflection on the long-term impacts of nuclear power and the unique perspectives of those who lived through it.