Gastrotargi SMAKKi
3rd International Trade Fair for the HoReCa Industry
9-10 April 2025
EXPO XXI Warsaw
Gastrotargi SMAKKi
3rd International Trade Fair for the HoReCa Industry
9-10 April 2025
EXPO XXI Warsaw
On March 21, 2024, the second edition of HEINZ Selection took place. HEINZ Selection is a program designed for independent burger restaurants (with fewer than 10 locations under the same name) – establishments where the core business revolves around preparing and selling burgers.
Applications closed on February 12, 2024. The challenge for the 20 finalists was to prepare their signature burger, with the requirement to use at least one HEINZ sauce. The selection criteria focused primarily on taste and presentation, but also considered the preparation process and the chef’s technique.
Out of 20 burger restaurants in the finals, the jury selected 10 winners, who have now become part of the HEINZ Selection program.
The competition jury consisted of the Professional Jury, which brought together Kraft Heinz Advisors from Poland and abroad, as well as Experts from our Partner organizations. Additionally, there was a Tasting Jury, which included Heinz brand manager Steve Chantry and renowned culinary influencers: Maciej je, Bagiński, and Jawor.
Stay tuned for updates by following Kraft HEINZ Foodservice Polska on social media, where you can find the latest news and insights!
Full of passion, talent, and culinary expertise, he dedicates his knowledge and experience to supporting the world of gastronomy while also focusing on youth education. For years, he has been a co-organizer of the “Polish Cuisine with a Twist” culinary competition for students from gastronomy schools.
He gained his first professional experience in hotels and restaurants in Wrocław. A five-year stay in Spain deepened his love for the local cuisine, and to this day, he enjoys experimenting by blending traditional Polish flavors with Southern European influences.
The next step in Paweł’s career led him to work in top restaurants in Warsaw, as well as in hotel restaurants, where he held positions as Executive Chef and Corporate Chef. Additionally, he is a certified KCBS judge and a juror in culinary competitions across Poland. During the HEINZ Selection Finals 2024, he will once again serve as the Chairman of the Jury.
Technical Judge for Heinz Selection, Chef, and Culinary Consultant at Kraft Heinz.
He honed his culinary skills in five-star international hotel chains and participated in nationwide culinary competitions. He translates his knowledge into his passion for cooking and experimenting with unique flavor combinations.
Not only that, but he loves infusing the rich aromas of the Far East into traditional Polish cuisine and inspiring others to expand their culinary horizons.
Leader of the Chef Network and Senior International Innovation Chef at Kraft Heinz. Working at the Innovation Research & Development Center in the Netherlands, he ensures that our chefs receive the training and expertise needed to deliver unforgettable culinary experiences with HEINZ products on a global scale. He fulfilled his dream of becoming a research chef by earning a degree in Food Science and Culinary Arts.
For 12 years, he has worked as a product designer and is the creator of the bestselling HEINZ Professional Mayonnaise as well as the Polish HEINZ 1000 Islands Sauce! He is passionate about connecting with chefs, food science, and fostering a global culinary community.
Kraft Heinz Chef Responsible for Eastern European Markets
A baker at heart and a true food enthusiast. She loves traveling and discovering new cuisines. She has an innate appreciation for great food, thanks to her Lebanese roots, which are tied to one of the world’s most flavorful cuisines.
Lina has gained experience in various culinary settings, from quick-service restaurants (QSR) to fine dining. She trained in France at the Bocuse Institute. At Kraft Heinz, she is responsible for the Eastern European markets, which means she is always on the move, making life more delicious for our customers!
Kraft Heinz Chef in Spain
Culinary Manager at Kraft Heinz Spain, working with key clients, developing menus, and creating new product development opportunities. He also trains sales and wholesale teams in the foodservice industry. A food enthusiast from an early age, he always seemed to know that cooking would be his lifelong passion.
His 17 years of professional experience include running restaurants, working in five-star hotels, the food industry, and luxury cruise ships traveling around the world. Combined with his degree in Nutrition, this makes him a highly versatile chef with a deep understanding of both culinary and business aspects.
Chef and Senior Culinary Manager for Innovation at Kraft Heinz North America, Away From Home division in Chicago, Illinois.
She leads a team of corporate chefs responsible for product innovation and commercialization, training support, collaboration with key clients, managing internal culinary needs, and developing the first NAZ Food Lab.
Before joining Kraft Heinz in 2022, Laura worked as a chef at US Foods, supporting product development and commercialization, including creating training and marketing resources such as photography and videography.
Her culinary career spans independent restaurants, private clubs, food brokerage, product development, and culinary education.
Executive Chef & Senior Culinary Manager at Kraft Heinz Company, USA.
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and food industry, Chef Tom has built his career leading culinary operations across food service, retail, and industrial sectors.
At Kraft Heinz, Chef Tom plays a key role in culinary collaborations with the top 500 restaurants in the United States. With a passion for culinary creativity and a talent for harmonizing flavors, Chef Tom Leo is a true virtuoso in the kitchen, bringing artistry to every dish he creates.
With years of experience honing his skills in top-tier restaurants and a deep commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients, Chef Tom Leo crafts unforgettable dining experiences that captivate the senses.
Whether it’s a meticulously plated, Michelin-star-worthy dish or a comforting, soul-warming classic, Chef Tom Leo’s cuisine is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art of gastronomy.
Chef Sławomir specializes in regional cuisine, passionately crafting dishes since childhood while incorporating modern culinary techniques. Thanks to his innovative approach, traditional dishes take on a whole new dimension! While honoring culinary traditions, Chef Sławomir has spent over 30 years continuously introducing cutting-edge cooking methods and creating bold, intriguing flavor combinations.
He gained experience in renowned establishments such as Boqueria Restaurant in Cork, Ireland, *Łeba Hotel & Spa ***, *Hotel Neptun ***, Lisewski Dwór, and Stary Browar Kościerzyna. He has participated in numerous culinary competitions, including Sielawa Blues (2002), Zielona Czapka Bonduelle (2003), Martell (2005), Polish Cuisine Festival (2005), Culinary Battles in Bydgoszcz (2008 & 2012), Cod Festival in Łeba (2002, 2003, 2004, 2009), Christmas Dishes Festival in Kołobrzeg (2009, 2013), and the Baltic Fish Festival in Kołobrzeg.
Since 2018, he has been a member of the Examination Commission for the Chef Profession at the Pomeranian Chamber of Crafts, a member of the Polish Chefs Association, and the organizer of the nationwide culinary and tourism event “Mushroom Picking for Gastronomy.”
An exceptional chef and proud holder of the prestigious MasterChef title. He serves as a culinary consultant for renowned restaurants in Poland and abroad, bringing over 20 years of management experience to the table. He is a member of WACS – World Association of Chefs Societies, the Polish Association of Chefs and Confectioners, and a board member of Euro-Toques – the European Association of Chefs. He also participates in prestigious culinary competitions.
He conducts training sessions, presentations, and technical workshops on the latest trends in the culinary market, modern work and management methods in gastronomy, as well as the operation and application of state-of-the-art kitchen equipment in daily practice.
He leads development, innovation, and marketing at Kraft Heinz across global emerging markets. A proud Brit but a true citizen of the world, he currently resides in Dubai. As a passionate foodie and devoted Heinz brand enthusiast, he feels lucky to be able to combine both passions in his role.
He is excited to visit us in Warsaw to taste the world’s best burgers during our Heinz Selection finals.
An influencer and YouTuber who shares his culinary travel experiences on his channel, Maciej je. He visits restaurants across Poland, Europe, and the world, always on the lookout for unique and original flavors. He has been active on YouTube for eight years, and before that, since 2010, he ran a food and restaurant blog focused on Poznań.
His videos attract hundreds of thousands of viewers every week, and the restaurants he visits and recommends often experience a surge in customers right after an episode is published. From the very beginning of his career, he has had a passion for burger joints—actively participating as a fan and enthusiast in Poland’s craft burger boom in the early 2010s. He has tasted burgers at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant and even explored New York in search of the ultimate “hambugs”.
He started his online activity a few years ago, initially focusing on content mainly related to fashion. Over a year ago, he decided to launch DRE$$SCODE as a team project.
Recently, together with Inez, he started a series testing the most viral spots in Warsaw. The content gained such massive reach on TikTok that he decided to return to YouTube. Currently, they have embarked on a camper tour, exploring and reviewing places all over Poland, sharing their experiences on their channel.
A creator who has been active on the Internet for over six years. During this time, he has gathered nearly 1.4 million fans on his YouTube channel and hundreds of thousands more on other social media platforms. His videos attract an average of 500,000 viewers. While traveling, he explores different cuisines and flavors.
In addition, together with his fiancée, he runs the entertainment and culinary channel “Jaworscy Gotują”, where they try out various recipes, test food, and engage in many other exciting kitchen-related activities.
