ABOUT
Kuba showed an interest in cooking from an early age. He spent a lot of time in the family kitchen enjoying cooking, creating and tasting. Growing up in Poland were the restaurant scene and eating out culture hardly existed, a career as a chef was not highly regarded and did not give many perspectives.
Kuba attended University in 2000, and within 3½ years received his Bachelor Degree in Financial Management. Kuba was not convinced that office work was for him and it was after two summer holidays working as a kitchen porter in Sydney, that he realised he wants to work in the kitchen, he wants to become a chef.
In April 2004, Kuba decided to follow his passion and arrived in the UK to learn how to cook professionally and enrolled at The Thanet College in Kent (East Kent College) for the NVQ Professional Cooking course.
Kuba spent 3 years at Broadstairs, Kent, where he achieved NVQ Level 3 both in Kitchen, Larder and Pastry, being the first student in College history to complete both qualifications in one year.
During his college years, Kuba successfully took part in various cooking competitions, both in the UK and France, and completed stages at high-end establishments like Le Gavroche, Rhodes 24, Buckingham Palace and The British Embassy in Paris.
In September 2007, Kuba started his first full time job as a Commis Chef in Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux quat’ Saison under Gary Jones.
Being awarded the ‘LMQS Employee of the Year 2008’ title, Kuba continued to throw himself into his role and remain at Le Manoir until January 2010.
In February 2010, Kuba met Tony and Amanda Timmer at The Feathered Nest. Realising that they all shared the same vision he joined the company as Sous Chef.
By February 2012, Kuba took over as Head Chef and in this first year was awarded 3 AA Rosettes for his culinary expertise.
Over last 9 years Kuba has developed his food based on game, fish, Cotswolds and foraged ingredients.
He is specialising in curing, air drying, smoking and preserving traditional, old fashioned techniques.
Over the years The Feathered Nest won various awards (most recently number 33 in 100 best restaurants by Hardens) and Kuba put his stamp on the culinary scene of the Cotswolds, becoming a destination restaurant with many regular customers.
Kuba appeared on Saturday Kitchen on BBC2, Saturday Morning with James Martin on ITV, Food Network TV and regularly takes part in local food festivals.
He is highly passionate about sharing his knowledge and he works closely with Chef’s Forum Academy, local colleges and schools.
In October 2018 Kuba won prestigious Craft Guilds National Chef of the Year 2019 title.
AWARDS
- Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year 2019, London – 1st October 2018
- Escoffier Challenge, London – 1st in 2007 and 2006
- Caterer & Licensee Student Chef of the year 2007, Bournemouth 1st June 2007
- UK Seafood Competition, Regional final in Norwich.
- Young Chef of European Union 2006, Nord-pas-Calais, France – 2nd May 2006
The Feathered Nest Inn
- Three AA Rosettes (2013)
- AA Pub of the Year 2011- 2012 in England (2011)
- Best British and Best Restaurant in Oxfordshire – Oxford Magazine Award (2011)
Le Manoir aux quat’ Saisons
- Employee of the year 2008
Thanet College
- Ramsgate Hoteliers Prize – for the best student of the year (2007)
- The Virtue Cup – for excellent progress (2006)