Being the only Michelin-starred chef in the entirety of your home country means you instantly become an ambassador for the national food scene. Wojciech Modest Amaro earned his stripes in esteemed kitchens such as Le Gavroche, Noma and El Bulli, before returning to his native Poland to open his own restaurant, Atelier Amaro, in 2011. Just three months later, it was awarded a Michelin star – a first for the country and a huge boost to the Eastern European dining scene.
Now, Wojciech is returning to the UK to cook at Nigel Haworth’s Obsession festival to give diners a taste of his modern, ingredient-led cooking. ‘I’m very excited to be able to show people outside of Poland my food, philosophy and signature flavour combinations,’ he says. ‘A lot of international events for chefs these days are just symposiums or meetings; everyone talks but you don’t get to taste each other’s cooking.
‘It has been a long time since I left the UK but my culinary heart is always grateful for what I learnt here,’ continues Wojciech. ‘I follow everything that happens; it’s amazing how much the food scene has evolved to become the best in the world. The diversity of cuisines, quality of ingredients and progression towards perfection makes it very exciting. I think for all the chefs in Poland, England is a great example to follow.’
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Obsession 2016: Wojciech Modest Amaro