In partnership with Babson College, the America for Bulgaria Foundation developed the Leadership Education in America Program (LEAP) to enable professionals across the civil, public, and private sectors to improve Bulgarian society. LEAP graduates return equipped with new knowledge, ideas, and a global network, using these resources to create positive change in their communities. Whether it’s empowering families, reducing food waste, or preparing children for professions of the future, these individuals all have one thing in common: they work for the betterment of Bulgaria.

Blazhka Dimitrova, the creator of Bulgaria’s first zero waste restaurant, Blagichka, and co-founder of the Zero Waste Bulgaria Association, is one such change-maker.

You might have seen her making vegan “pulled pork” on TV or tasted her famous desserts. Maybe you’ve heard her speak about eco-friendly living in schools or read her book on zero waste. However you’ve crossed paths with her, there’s no doubt that Blazhka Dimitrova’s work has left a mark.

For over 13 years, Blazhka has been a key figure in Bulgaria’s sustainable development movement. While many know her as the force behind Blagichka and as an advocate of the zero waste philosophy, her lesser-known passion is working with young people. This commitment has taken her to more than 100 schools, where she teaches children and teens about minimizing their impact on the environment through responsible consumption and reuse. She also travels internationally to share her experiences and learn from the best practices in sustainable development worldwide.

Thanks to her inspiring leadership, hundreds of people across the globe are discovering that living sustainably and without excess can be both delicious and fulfilling.

An Unconventional Path

“Since I was little, I always thought I was going to save the world,” Blazhka recalls.

Her early ambitions mirrored a superhero’s battle against evil, which led her to pursue a master’s degree in National Security and Defense at the Military Academy “G.S. Rakovski.” However, her free-spirited nature clashed with the rigid discipline of military life. After some honest feedback, she was advised, “You’d be better off becoming a teacher.”

Initially discouraged, Blazhka soon found herself inspired by the idea of working with young people. She applied to Teach for Bulgaria’s teacher recruitment program, was accepted, and quickly thrived—so much so that she was voted one of the top teachers during her very first year.

“After becoming a teacher, I started seeing saving the world differently. It wasn’t about grand, heroic gestures. If you manage to change just one person, you’ve done your job,” she explains.

Building Trust through Food

Blazhka began her teaching career with a notoriously difficult class at Sofia’s 54th school. With her military background, she found herself frustrated by the students’ lateness, but soon realized that was just one of many challenges. The students were often absent, and verbal or physical conflicts weren’t uncommon.

“I was their eighth English teacher in two years, and they told me, ‘You’ll be gone in two weeks,'” she recalls. “The first few months were a nightmare, but with the help of my mentor Boyana Radeva, I managed to get through to them.”

She began by connecting with her students on topics they cared about. Instead of traditional lessons, she taught them English through translating popular songs. But what truly brought them together was food.

“I noticed my students were always eating—constantly snacking on chips and other junk food. So, I started baking cakes and muffins and bringing them to class.” Soon, they affectionately dubbed her “Miss Cookie.”

Her goal wasn’t just to replace their unhealthy snacks but to build a bridge. “I knew food was the key. I’d seen firsthand how it brings people together around the table,” Blazhka says.

From Teaching to Entrepreneurship

In addition to food, her students were curious about success. So Blazhka started inviting guest speakers to talk about entrepreneurship, drawing nearly the entire school to these events.

At the same time, Blazhka became increasingly aware of the massive amounts of waste generated daily. Discovering the zero waste philosophy, she began applying it to both her cooking and her personal life. Her passion for entrepreneurship and zero waste soon merged, and with her students’ encouragement, Blazhka created a Facebook page to showcase her culinary creations.

Her first orders came quickly, leading her to rent a small kitchen—a basement with a tiny window. Her students helped refurbish the space, and together they launched Blagichka—a zero waste catering business employing disadvantaged youth.

“My students were so mature and supportive. They helped me turn this small kitchen into Blagichka: Catering with a Cause. Over the years, we’ve employed youth from foster homes, those with disabilities, and even deaf youth, who successfully ran the restaurant for five years,” says Blazhka.

Many of her former students still keep in touch, 13 years later.

From a Passion Project to a Thriving Business

By the ninth month, Blagichka was turning a profit. “I follow the ‘lean’ model—making something out of nothing, which fits perfectly with zero waste. To this day, TV crews come to see how we make vegan ‘pulled pork’ from banana peels, French fries from potato peels, and ice cream from watermelon rind,” she shares.

Her entrepreneurial success has given Blazhka the platform to champion zero waste on a larger scale, often speaking at national and international forums on topics like sustainable development, eco-friendly agriculture, and fair trade.

Despite her busy schedule, Blazhka’s passion for working with youth remains strong, especially through programs like WWF Bulgaria’s youth social entrepreneurship initiative Panda Labs. For her contributions to sustainable development, in 2020 she received WWF’s highest honor, the President’s Award.

LEAP and the Next Big Project

In 2024, Blazhka became one of 17 participants in the second edition of the America for Bulgaria Foundation’s LEAP program. The program helped her embrace her unconventional path and realize that her free-spirited approach was an asset, not a hindrance.

“For me, this freedom is everything. It lets me unlock my potential and pursue dreams that sometimes seem crazy,” she says.

Inspired by LEAP, Blazhka is now focused on her next big project: revitalizing Bulgarian villages. Her journey to source clean ingredients for Blagichka led her back to her childhood village, where she started a farmer’s cooperative to supply half of the restaurant’s needs. She also purchased a house there and is working on a green school program to showcase the beauty of rural life to children and families.

Follow Blazhka and her latest culinary adventures on Instagram and Facebook, or check out her author profile on Facebook.