Katarzyna Królewicz-Gorzelańczyk interviews Basia Ritz, the tastemaker, owner of a restaurant that serves authored cuisine, the winner of the first Polish MasterChef edition.
You are the owner of a restaurant, the tastemaker, ambassador of the top quality cuisine. Please tell us how your adventure with cooking began.
I have been cooking since I can remember, actually… As a little girl I loved to sit around in the kitchen and observe the magic practiced by my mom and grandma over pots and pans. I was even happier when they allowed me to help. I always joke, that pots were my Barbie dolls. However, most of the girls usually tend to grow out of their toys eventually, but my love for cooking remained.
Cooking is art – it happens on many aesthetic levels, engages all senses, delivers sensations… What inspires you?
Correct, combining tastes is art. I am mostly inspired by my memories from trips, buying on markets… But an inspiration can sometimes come from an interesting article in a culinary magazine or a good cooking book. The way cuisine looks is also to be considered artistic. I love beautiful food pictures!
Your masterly skills and undoubted talent were officially recognized in 2012. How does it feel to be the first Polish MasterChef?
I am very proud of the title. It helped me make my dreams come true.
What are your MasterChef memories like?
Everything was filled with emotions, especially for someone who puts heart into cooking. Things were quite different, too – new situations and challenges happened all the time. It was an amazing time for me, it left a positive mark and I will never forget it. It is true, that high adrenaline level can be habit-forming!
Cooking is your passion, but also profession. What do you enjoy doing apart from it?
Quite frankly, I don’t have enough time to do anything else. It was long ago when I’ve come to realize that gastronomy is a jealous lover and does not leave so many opportunities for doing anything apart from it. I am present at my restaurant from early morning till late evening from Tuesday to Sunday, so every day that we’re open. I do shopping, preparations, compose menu, cook. When I leave the ‘Ritz’, all I dream about is my bed…!
The restaurant with authored cuisine, open since last year, is your dream come true… What does Basia Ritz dream about apart from it?
About a trip around the world, on a yacht. A trip, that would last at least 5 years.
