Charlton House chef flies to Poland

Domenico Cicchetti has spent his time training with celebrity chef Karol Okrasa and Giancarlo Russo, an Italian celebrity chef who has been in Poland for 20 years. The exhibition is part of Polska! Year, which launched in spring 2009 and continues throughout 2010. The event seeks to bring the communities of Poland and Great Britain closer by strengthening cultural relations and establishing new contacts between both countries' artistic institutions, artists and organisers of cultural events. Alain Mara, Charlton House general manager at the RIBA said: "Domenico has worked with us for two years, during which time he has proven his passion for good food. He is a trustworthy employee and it was on this basis that my head chef Michael Paul and I chose to send him to Warsaw. "This has been a wonderful experience for such a young chef and we jumped at the opportunity to give one of our chefs a chance to immerse himself in another culture and cuisine. At Charlton House we see training and development crucial to wellbeing, particularly during tough economic times when it's important to ensure that every team member feels valued." Menus now include Polish specialities such as orgokowa (cucumber soup with sour cream) and pierogi (chicken dumplings with sautéed lardons and sour cream). Cicchetti is still raving about his trip. "They treated me like a pop star! I strolled into the best restaurant kitchens of the capital and worked alongside the country's top chefs. It will stay with me forever and I am so grateful to the Adam Mickiewicz Institute for covering the cost of my trip and to Charlton House for having the foresight and understanding to let me have this unique training opportunity."