The chef who helped win Northumberland's first Michelin star is opening a County Durham restaurant inspired by his Polish upbringing.
Marek Dziedzic, former head chef at Michelin-starred Restaurant Hjem, will open Restaurant Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, on October 1.
The 35-year-old, who has spent almost two decades in professional kitchens, will combine seasonal British produce with recipes and flavours from the Polish countryside where he grew up.
Biedronka, which means "ladybird" in Polish, will be Marek's first restaurant of his own.
Marek Dziedzic, the former head chef at Michelin-starred Restaurant Hjem, will open Restaurant Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, on October 1.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the venture, he said: "I want to bring my heritage from the Polish countryside to the British countryside.
"When I first looked at The Farmhouse, I started thinking about contemporary farmhouse cooking and how I could bring my Polish heritage into that.
Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, County Durham.
"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."
Born near Kościan in western Poland, Marek moved to London in 2012 and went on to work in a number of high profile kitchens, including The Stafford Hotel in Mayfair, Café Football, Hotel Football and Green & Fortune.
The opening of Restaurant Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, County Durham.
He later joined the opening team at Neptune in London, where he met Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori.
That connection eventually brought him to Northumberland, where he joined Alex and Ally Thompson for the launch of Restaurant Hjem in 2019.
The Biedronka team at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, County Durham.
Marek later became head chef as Hjem became the first restaurant in Northumberland to receive a Michelin star.
After Hjem closed at the end of 2025, Marek returned to South Causey Inn earlier this year as part of the restaurant's temporary residency at The Farmhouse.
It was there that plans for his own restaurant began to take shape.
The menu will centre on handmade Polish dumplings and dishes inspired by Marek's childhood and family traditions.
Guests can build their own four-, five- or six-course meal, while a seven-course chef's selection will also be available.
Marek Dziedzic, the former head chef at Michelin-starred Restaurant Hjem, will open Restaurant Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, on October 1.
Opening dishes include 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.
Dessert will also feature 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.
Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, County Durham.
"I hope we can bring something a little different to the North East."
Vegetarian and vegan options will be available, while the drinks menu has been created to complement the different dining choices.
Biedronka at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, County Durham.
South Causey Inn owner Susan Moiser said: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Biedronka to South Causey Inn.
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"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."
Restaurant Biedronka opens at The Farmhouse, South Causey Inn, on October 1, with lunch and dinner services running throughout the week. Bookings are now open.