Three of North Hertfordshire College’s Hospitality & Catering students created a dining experience to remember through their ‘Celebration of Polish Cuisine & Culture’ at Hart Kitchens! Level 2 Professional Cookery students Kacper Rudzinski and Mateusz Sieklicki designed the authentic Polish menu, with Level 3 Hospitality Supervision student Kia Timmins organising Front of House for the evening’s esteemed guests.
Students from across the Hospitality & Catering department came together to support their peers in the project in both the preparation stages and on the night. Our young chefs learnt to smoke their own kielbasa, fermented their own sauerkraut, and moulded their own pierogi to use in the dishes.
Kacper and Mati were not alone in supervising their fellow chefs, either – they were supported by National Chef of the Year 2019 winner, Chef Kuba Winkowski! Kuba is a former chef of Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and a regular contributor to the Great British Chefs’ website. He has also recently returned from filming a Polish food travel series. Kia was similarly supported in organising the front-of-house by Michal Wolanski of Michelin star gastropub, The Star Inn.
This was the perfect opportunity for our young chefs and hospitality trainees to shine. All the students gained valuable experience of preparing and serving dishes at a high-class event and working alongside established and experienced professionals. For Kacper, Mati, and Kia, there was the added experience of organising and managing the event, too!
Thank you @N_HertsCollege for a wonderful culinary feast of modern Polish cuisine!
Congrats to young chefs, Mati and Kacper who made this night happen!
Many thanks to @Chef_Kuba and @AGascoigne77 for sharing their experience and inspiration! pic.twitter.com/biRBYIPvw8— Polish Embassy UK 🇵🇱 (@PolishEmbassyUK) March 24, 2023
Diners on the night included Polish residents, representatives from Stevenage Borough Council, and even a representative from the Polish Embassy – Szymon Szaran, the third secretary to the ambassador.
Kit Davies, Principal of North Hertfordshire College, said: “The event was an amazing evening of delicious food and new friends. Thanks to Chef Kuba Winkowski for supporting, our brilliant North Hertfordshire College chefs for their hard work, and Stevenage Borough Council and the Polish Embassy for attending. Exciting projects are ahead!”
Level 2 Professional Cookery student Kacper Rudzinski said: “Hosting a Polish-themed evening has not only allowed me to showcase the rich culture and traditions of Poland, but it has also opened up a world of new experiences, connections and opportunities that I never would have imagined possible. I’ve deepened my appreciation for the diversity and beauty of the world as a result.
“Our Polish-themed evening was a celebration of culinary diversity and cultural exchange, where Guest Chef Kuba Winkowski shared his expertise and passion with our guests. Through a carefully crafted 5-course tasting menu, we showcased the richness and complexity of Polish cuisine, blending traditional recipes with innovative techniques. It was an unforgettable night where food brought people together and created lasting memories.
“Opportunities are not just chances to try something new, they are experiences that can shape us for a lifetime.”
Gratulacje to our chefs and hospitality students on their successful evening!
If you would like to support our Hospitality & Catering students, be sure to follow our Hart Kitchens Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates about upcoming themed evenings. You can also find more information on our Hart Kitchens webpage.