Executive Chef and Co-Owner, Kapłony I Zzczeżuje | Kraków, Poland

Aleksander Baron is a renowned Polish chef, restaurateur, food writer, and the co-owner of Kapłony I Zzczeżuje. Throughout his multifaceted career, Aleksander Baron has been a leading figure in the Polish culinary scene, inspiring chefs and enthusiasts alike with his unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Polish cuisine. With a diverse career spanning experience in the UK and Poland, and an entrepreneurial spirit, he has owned and operated multiple successful restaurants including Solec44, in Warsaw, his influential first establishment, founded in 2010. Today, he and business partner Agnieszka Kraszewska continue to delight patrons with their restaurant, Kapłony I Szczeżuje à la carte, located in the heart of Kraków's Kazimierz district. He is also co-founder of Baron the Family, a brand of celebrated fermented products. Born in Warsaw, Chef Baron studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts and the History of Art at the University of Warsaw. He began his culinary journey in his early twenties when he moved to the UK. Four years later he ascended to the position of head chef at the esteemed Edinburgh restaurant, Sizzling Scott. Since then, he has showcased his artistry in renowned kitchens and festivals worldwide, from the vibrant cities of Paris and Tel Aviv to the beautiful landscapes of Jeju and the Virgin Islands. He has written three acclaimed culinary books that have captivated audiences with their in-depth exploration of fermentation and Polish vodka and is a regular contributor to leading Polish culinary and lifestyle magazines, including Esquire, KUKBUK, Usta, and Smak. Baron's deep-rooted passion for Polish cuisine is inseparable from his understanding of the country’s tumultuous past, marked by periods of grandeur and adversity, which has profoundly shaped its culinary traditions. He seeks to revive and elevate the best of Polish gastronomy while embracing contemporary influences and focuses on quality, provenance, creativity, and prioritizing locally sourced ingredients and championing the use of traditional techniques. Baron's artistic background is evident in his approach to cooking, as he views each dish as a form of culinary expression. Ultimately, his goal is to create unforgettable dining experiences that celebrate the essence of Polish cuisine. @baronchef

Photo Credit: Dawid Żuchowicz