Previously he cooked for, among others, actors Katarzyna Figura, Jerzy Stuhr, Maciej Stuhr, and Katarzyna Cichopek, singers Doda and Linkin' Park, trainer Zbigniew Boniek, and even the president of Poland. "To be honest, I've never got overexcited that I cook for such people, and all of a sudden Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg were to try my cooking" laughs Krzysztof Matuszkiewicz, who cooked for both gentlemen during their stay in Wrocław.
Stress? Nerves? No! More like inspiration!
Krzysztof Matuszkiewicz has 12 years of professional experience. He cooked in many places before and gained experience all over Poland and abroad. "Stress? No, I didn't feel stressed. Rather, the fact that I am to cook for such guests inspired me" said the chef. "The cuisine choices that I proposed were my idea all the way, that's why I was sure they would work" he added.
What for the Hollywood stars?
Preparing a menu for top class stars, who have probably eaten it all, and everywhere, was not an easy task. "As the chef I was asked by the manager of both of the gentlemen to a meeting to discuss the menu. At the time I suggested seafood, because on the day we had a delivery of fresh products straight from France. She wasn't thrilled, because, as far as I heard, when it comes to Mediterranean cuisine, the gentlemen are hard to impress. But I managed to persuade her to trust me" said Krzysztof Matuszkiewicz. "First, I served scallops on orange marmalade, with bacon powder, glazed with honey and grapefruit. Later they ate codfish ceviche, i.e. fish marinated win limes and lemons, and next a Mediterranean-style beef steak Tartar with capers, dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, black olives and fried chanterelle in mustard seed sauce. Afterwards there was Kobe beef steak in chocolate sauce, later garlic-fried squids served with a raspberry, lingonberry, strawberry and orange salad in wine sauce. Mr. Spielberg and Mr. Hanks ate also dory in English sauce with salmon caviare, Black Tiger shrimps with coriander and pineapple, glazed in white rum, and finally a beetroot carpaccio with tuna and egg yolk confit" said the chef and then quickly added " And then there was dessert."
For dessert Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg had a chocolate custard cream with chilli and green pepper in blackberry sauce and Lublin cyder froth. The dinner lasted for ca. three hours.
"We will recommend in the US"
"The greatest feeling? When the gentlemen thanked me after dinner and admitted they would have never assumed that one could have eaten so well in such a small city. They also assured me they would recommend my cooking" said Krzysztof Matuszkiewicz. "I feel greatly appreciated. Cooking is my passion, and being acknowledged by people who ate in the most expensive and best restaurants in the world simply gave me wings.
