Maciej Bujakowski is originally from Krakow in Poland, where he completed a four year chef degree before beginning his professional career. In 2002 he took part in an international food competition in Innsbruck, Austria as a member of the Polish under-21 team, for which they received a bronze award for their work.

He came to England in 2004 starting as a commis chef at an multi AA Rosette restaurant in Hertfordshire. As my grasp of English improved, so did my ability to work with food, becoming a sous chef 18 months later, said Maciej. I then went on to work in Whitby for a year and a half before moving to Harrogate for my first position at the Kimberley Hotel in 2009 as a second chef.

After a year and a half I took the opportunity to move to my first head chef position but returned to the Kimberley Hotel as executive chef in July 2011 to launch a new project - Signatures Bistro which was a very exciting experience. I designed a new style of menu with a hint of molecular influence and with locally sourced Yorkshire produce. From March 2015 he opens his deli in Harrogate called Magic Meat, and from April 2018 opens Cracovia Taste of Poland restaurant in Leeds

The aim was to create something similar to a taste of Polish

style home cooked food with a fine dining presentation.

I wanted to entice people in by creating a unique and fresh

experience within the local area. How about sampling my

Half of Apple Roasted Duck, Creamed Mash, Braised Red

Cabbage ,Polish-style marinated herring served with Russian salad, brown bread and onions in sour cream