Industry News

Former Restaurant Hjem head chef Marek Dziedzic is drawing on almost 20 years in professional kitchens to create a restaurant rooted in his Polish heritage

A new restaurant bringing together seasonal British produce and the food traditions of Poland will open in County Durham on October 1.

Restaurant Biedronka is the first restaurant from chef Marek Dziedzic, who has spent almost 20 years working in professional kitchens and was most recently head chef at Michelin-starred Restaurant Hjem in Northumberland.

Based at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, Biedronka – which means ladybird in Polish – will draw on Marek’s upbringing in the Polish countryside and the North East, which he has called home for the past seven years.

“I want to bring my heritage from the Polish countryside to the British countryside,” said Marek.

“When I first looked at The Farmhouse, I started thinking about contemporary farmhouse cooking and how I could bring my Polish heritage into that.

“The food is personal to me and tells my story, but I also want Biedronka to feel very relaxed. You can serve really good food and be very professional without the experience ever becoming stuffy or pretentious.”

Marek, 35, grew up in Puszczykowo, western Poland, after being born near Kościan, not far from Poznań, and moved to London in 2012.

His career has taken him through kitchens in London and Manchester, including The Stafford Hotel in Mayfair, Café Football, Hotel Football and Green & Fortune, before he joined the opening team at Neptune in London.

It was there he met Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori, later moving to Northumberland to join Alex and Ally Thompson for the opening of Restaurant Hjem in 2019. Marek went on to become head chef and was part of the team as Hjem became the first restaurant in Northumberland to be awarded a Michelin star.

Following Hjem’s closure at the end of 2025, Marek returned to the kitchen with the team during its temporary residency at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn earlier this year. The residency gave Marek the opportunity to get to know The Farmhouse – the place where his own restaurant would eventually take shape.

At Biedronka, handmade Polish dumplings will sit at the heart of a menu built around seasonal ingredients and Marek’s Polish heritage.

The menu is divided into snacks, starters, dumplings, seafood, meat and desserts, with guests able to build their own four, five or six-course meal. A seven-course chef’s selection will also be available.

Dishes on the opening menu include “the flagship of Polish dumplings” Pierogi Ruskie filled with farmer’s cheese, potato and onion; Poznańska Pyza, a steamed dumpling filled with braised duck leg; and Rosół, a traditional chicken broth with handmade noodles which Marek remembers eating on Sundays and family celebration days in Poland.

Dumplings also make it to dessert, with plum-filled Knedle served with crème fraîche and vanilla sugar.

Marek said: “Polish and British food have more in common than people might imagine. There’s a lot of slow cooking, braising and deep flavours in both.

“I really want the dumplings to be a big part of Biedronka. They’re handmade and there are so many different types and traditions to explore.

“I hope we can bring something a little different to the North East.”

Vegetarian and vegan diners will be catered for, alongside other dietary requirements, while the drinks list has been designed to work alongside the different menu choices.

Susan Moiser, owner at South Causey Inn, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Biedronka to South Causey Inn. For us, this is about much more than simply welcoming a new restaurant to the site.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside a team of young, exceptionally talented chefs and to give them the opportunity, space and platform to develop their own vision and create something truly special here in the North East.

“Supporting emerging talent and investing in new ideas is something we feel very strongly about, and we’re incredibly proud that Biedronka will become part of the South Causey Inn family.”

Restaurant Biedronka opens at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn on October 1.

Two dinner sittings will be served Wednesday to Saturday, alongside Saturday and Sunday lunch services. Four courses are priced at £65, five at £75, six at £85 and the seven-course chef’s selection at £95.

Bookings are now open via restaurantbiedronka.com