Here at The Staff Canteen, we feature a different member every month who we think deserves to be celebrated - this month’s winner is Przemyslaw Langiewicz.
As a member who regularly contributes to our site via the app Chef+, Przemyslaw will win a copy of Quique Dacosta: 3 and The Staff Canteen mug!
Current place of work, position and a brief overview of where you have worked before.
I started my adventure with cooking 13 years ago in a Polish restaurant as a kitchen porter. After a couple of months I moved to another city and started working in an Italian restaurant as a chef de partie. After that I worked in two four-star hotels and different restaurants trying cuisines such as Mexican, Greek, Japanese, Polish and Italian. Now I am working as a sous chef in an Italian bistro in Corby, Northamptonshire.
What is your cooking style and what can people expect from the food on your menu?
I like to cook simple things and serve them in a creative way but at home I often cross my comfort zone and do things that are new to me.
Image: Salmon poached in cider and bilberries • blueberries • jasmine rice • pea shots • lemongrass foam
From our menu people can definitely expect high quality and simplicity. We use fresh, good quality products which is in my opinion key to flavourful authentic Italian food. We are an Italian restaurant, but on the menu you can also find dishes with English cuisine twist, grilled meat and even proper English breakfast.
What do you like about The Staff Canteen app and website?
What I l like the most is that it is so versatile. You can find everything that chefs will be interested in: news from the culinary world, pictures, recipes, events and even a job! It is really good to have all that in one place.
What is your favourite dish to cook and why?
It is hard to pick just one thing. I like light-flavoured food, but I also love garlic and smokey things. I think it is because of food at home in Poland, where burnt wood aroma were close to me all the time. So let's compromise and say some kind of pasta dish - as you can add smokey stuff to it!
Guilty pleasure: list food item / dish / ingredient that aren’t considered ‘cheffy’ but you love to eat
I am not that much into fast foods but I will definitely try anything smoked. I really adore hazelnuts, sweets and I would never say no to a slice of margherita pizza
Image: Smoked salmon • cucumber espuma • sundried tomato caviar • caper berries • dill
What are your plans for the future?
One thing is for sure - I will keep learning new cooking techniques and trying to get know that big gastronomic world.
We're launching a campaign to promote independent restaurants, encouraging people with influence on social media to post about their favourite local restaurants. Do you think this is a good idea? What else do you think independent restaurants can do to get noticed?
I think it is a good idea. If someone really likes a restaurant, they should tell others about it no matter of the influence range that person have. In my opinion, another good thing is hosting events like pop-up dinners (especially themed ones) and inviting chefs (or other known person) from different places to create and cook the menu or its parts for the event. It works also for bartenders and baristas.
Image: Pan-seared seabass fillet • melon, cucumber and tomato salad with coriander and lime dressing • prosciutto foam
Do you want to be the next Member of the Month, a feature sponsored by Essential Cuisine? Download the Chef+ app for free now and share your images, videos and recipes for a chance to win The Staff Canteen mug and an Essential Cuisine goodie bag!
Please note that shipping fees outside of the UK will not be covered by Essential Cuisine.
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