Practical Wild Kitchen: Exploring 18th-Century Culinary Traditions at Royal Łazienki Museum

This project created museum exhibits for the 'Food' thematic space of the temporary exhibition 'Łazienki w zachwycie'. Edible wild plants were transformed into syrups, vinegars, and infusions, inspired by the historical culinary practices of Paul Tremo, head chef to Stanisław August.

The project 'Practical Wild Kitchen following Paul Tremo's footsteps' was initiated to develop museum exhibits for the 'Food' thematic space within the temporary exhibition 'Łazienki w zachwycie' (Łazienki in admiration). The Podchorążówka building, where the exhibition is housed, served as a kitchen for the royal table during Stanisław August's reign, making the culinary theme highly relevant to the location. Paul Tremo, the royal chef, was not only a skilled cook but also a botanist interested in edible and preservable plants, which inspired the focus on wild cuisine. Experts like Dr. Joanna Gałązka and Dr. Jakub Garnis led workshops on safely and sustainably foraging wild edible plants, with participants creating various preserved items such as syrups, vinegars, and infusions. These activities, held during spring and summer 2025, allowed for the collection of plants unique to different seasons. The project documented its process through photography, showcasing foraging, preparation, and communal meals. The resulting exhibits, including several jars and bottles of preserved plants and dried herbs, draw directly from or are inspired by Paul Tremo's 18th-century recipes, emphasizing the culinary and health benefits of wild plants.

This project created exhibits for the temporary exhibition 'Łazienki w zachwycie'. Further information regarding exhibition access and ticketing should be sought through the Royal Łazienki Museum's official channels.