Restaurant Biedronka will open at The Farmhouse at South Causey Inn in County Durham on October 1, replacing Hjem, which closes this Sunday. The new restaurant will be led by chef Marek Dziedzic, who was part of the Hjem team for years and helped earn its Michelin star.
Hjem's final days
Hjem will serve its last customers this Sunday at South Causey Inn, where it has operated a residency for the past six months or so. This follows the closure of the original Michelin star Restaurant Hjem in Northumberland at the end of last year.
Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and his wife Ally Thompson-Nietosvuori had planned to open a new purpose-built restaurant, Freyja, on the Close House Estate in Wylam later this year, but they have since decided to leave the hospitality industry for now to explore new opportunities. They will sign off with a special last BBQ this Sunday.
The new restaurant
Bookings for Biedronka are already open. The inn announced that the new restaurant will be at The Farmhouse, the standalone 150-year-old stone property in its grounds that Hjem has been occupying, which boasts sweeping views of the surrounding Beamish Valley.
Saying that "a new chapter in dining at South Causey Inn begins," the inn revealed that Restaurant Biedronka will open on October 1. Chef Marek Dziedzic, from Poznań in Poland, has almost 20 years' experience, with his culinary journey taking him from his homeland to some of the UK's finest kitchens, including The Stafford London and Sea Containers London.
What to expect
A post on South Causey Inn's Facebook page says: "Chef Marek brings his passion, precision and love of exceptional food to Biedronka." It adds that he will bring together "the very best of seasonal British produce with the distinctive flavours and traditions of his Polish heritage."
The post continues: "Expect thoughtful, contemporary dishes, beautifully crafted plates and a menu driven by quality, seasonality and a genuine love of great food - all served in the warm and welcoming countryside setting of South Causey Inn." It invites diners to "come and discover Biedronka - where British seasons meet Polish heritage and every plate tells a story."
Responses to the post included "cool" and "sounds really intriguing!" One person looking forward to a visit wrote: "Marek is a lovely person and amazing chef," adding: "Wishing him and all his lovely staff good luck for the future."
Biedronka, whose name means 'ladybird' in Polish, is already inviting bookings online. For details of Hjem's final service and farewell BBQ party event on August 16, see the inn's website.
