The table is not only a piece of furniture. It is also often the centre of a culinary universe around which people sit to talk, laugh and enjoy food. It’s a magical place where tradition meets the present day. We often don’t realise how many fascinating stories are connected to our favourite dishes and ingredients, yet flavours, smells and stories have a long-lasting place in our memory. Discovering the world through culinary culture is a wonderful adventure. I invite you to sit at the table – the Polish table.

The author, Magdalena Tomaszewska-Bolałek, is a culture expert, culinary culture scholar and head of Food Studies at the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities. She researches the history and anthropology of food as well as culinary tourism and diplomacy. She has promoted Polish cuisine abroad on numerous occasions through workshops, meetings and lectures. She is the author of many publications and the recipient of various prizes, such as the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, Prix de la Littérature Gastronomique, Diamond Cuisine Award and Magellan Awards.