Piotr Kucharski in Cyprus. He cooked for the Polish community during the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Larnaca.

Piotr Kucharski did not appear in Cyprus only as a famous guest. On January 12, 2020, he came to Larnaca for the 28th Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, and cooking together with the popular chef was announced as one of the most important points of the entire event.

For the Polish community, it was an opportunity to see the man known from the TV kitchen at work from just a few steps away. Surviving photos from the visit show Kucharski in his element – in the kitchen, working with pots and pans, and holding a huge tray of fresh bread.

Piotr Kucharski in Cyprus. Larnaca played with the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.

The 28th Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity took place on January 12, 2020, also in Cyprus. One of the cities that played with the Orchestra that day was Larnaca.

The local final is scheduled for House of Arts & LiteratureAccording to the poster, the event ran from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Piotr Kucharski was featured as one of the special guests. Eliza Wietrzyńska was the other guest, and Dawid Łasut hosted the event.

However, this was not a case where a famous name was simply supposed to appear on a poster.

The organizers announced it from the beginning cooking together with Piotr Kucharski as one of the main points of the programIn addition, there will be auctions, a raffle, attractions for children, first aid classes, a Polish buffet, and the traditional Light to Heaven.

From the TV kitchen to Larnaca

For many Poles, the name Piotr Kucharski was already well known at that time.

For years, he appeared in the kitchen of "Dzień Dobry TVN," preparing dishes and sharing recipes. The program's archives still contain a large number of his culinary materials.

Kucharski simultaneously developed his own culinary projects. He is the author of books including "Chleb. Domowa Piekarnia" (Bread. Home Bakery), "Na Słodkie" (Sweet), and "Miejski Farmer" (Urban Farmer). He later became the host of programs on Canal+ Kuchnia, including "Kucharski's Idea for the Kitchen" and "Domowa Piekarnia Kucharski" (Kucharski's Home Bakery).

So he didn't come to Larnaca just to wave from the stage.

He came to cook.

The highlight of the program was cooking together.

The announcement of the Cypriot final left no doubt about the important role Kucharski was to play.

In a conversation published before the event, the organizer described cooking with him as "the highlight of the show".

This clearly shows why his visit stands out from many other stays of famous Poles in Cyprus.

This wasn't about a brief appearance on stage or a symbolic gesture for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. The kitchen was part of the program, and Kucharski was expected to do exactly what audiences in Poland knew him for.

Only this time the recipients were Poles living in Cyprus.

The photo with the loaves was from that visit

One of the most interesting preserved shots from the stay is a photo of Piotr Kucharski standing in the kitchen with a huge tray of bread.

In front of him are a dozen or so large loaves. Kucharski himself, dressed much less formally than he did on the television show, holds a full tray and smiles broadly.

This simple photo doesn't really need an extensive description.

Especially since bread has long occupied an important place in his culinary activities.

Kucharski is the author of a book on home bread baking and later created a television series called "Kucharski's Home Bakery." The program showcases Polish breads and rolls, as well as baked goods from around the world.

The Cypriot shot with the tray full of loaves fits perfectly with his culinary history.

Cooking was supposed to help

The whole day in Larnaca had, of course, another purpose.

The 28th Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity was held under the slogan "Wind in the Sails", and the collection was conducted for pediatric surgical medicine.

In Larnaca, Polish food, auctions, fundraising events, attractions for children, and performances were prepared. Organizers also announced a WOŚP shop, homemade sweets, and a Polish buffet.

Kucharski added his specialty to this.

Cooking.

And that is why his presence at the Cypriot final was more than just a famous name on a poster.

Cuisine and Polish diaspora meet in Cyprus

Piotr Kucharski has often said that what he enjoys most is feeding others. In a later interview, he explained that he sees much of the meaning of his work in bringing joy to others through food.

In Larnaca this philosophy was given an exceptionally literal meaning.

The chef came several thousand kilometers from Poland to cook together during a charity event organized for the local Polish community.

There was no restaurant service or television studio.

There was the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, people, a shared kitchen and a goal that united Poles in Cyprus that day.

Piotr Kucharski left behind more than just a photo

After many years, the poster of the 28th Final and photographs from Larnaca are now part of the archive of the Polish presence on the island.

Piotr Kucharski appears on the poster as a special guest.

In the photos he is seen in a completely different way – at work.

And perhaps these photos best show why it is worth remembering his visit to Cyprus.

Piotr Kucharski didn't come to Cyprus just to be a celebrity guest at the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. He came here to cook for people.

And on January 12, 2020, his kitchen was Larnaca.

Sources: archival materials and photographs from the 28th Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Larnaca; announcement of the event "Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Cypriot!"; materials from Dzień Dobry TVN and Canal+ Kuchnia regarding Piotr Kucharski.