Julien Sécher: I feel free in Poland!

Polish society reminds me of French society in the 1970s. Not in a negative sense, but rather in terms of the freshness of life, a carefree attitude, and, above all, a sense of security. 'You really feel free here,’ says Julien Sécher, a French chef who now lives and works in Poland.

Nathaniel Garstecka: You have been living in Poland for years. As a Frenchman, how do you perceive Poland and Poles? What are the main differences between Poland and France?

The first thing that struck me when I moved here was the feeling that Poles are much freer than the French. There is less social pressure in Poland, much less condescension, and less of an ‘entre-soi’ attitude. There is also less intellectual and political pressure. Although Poles feel that there is a real internal political war going on, it is nothing compared to the country from which I come. In France, you can easily lose your job for supporting the wrong political camp. This is not the case in Poland. People here are more tolerant.

The same is true in the public sphere. In Poland, we can freely discuss social issues, even those that provoke strong emotions, whereas in France today this is practically impossible. In Poland, I don’t have to hide my views when talking to people. You have to understand what a sense of freedom and well-being this gives you. It may sound strange, but it was only after moving to Poland that I was able to broaden my intellectual horizons, because I no longer had access to the French mainstream media.

And how do you perceive Poles? Are they immediately welcoming, or rather a bit cold and distant?

I felt that they were very warm and hospitable. It was a real surprise for me, because in France they say that Poland is a closed and backward country. But the people here are simply aware of their culture and try to preserve it. They do not try to cut themselves off from the world. On the contrary, they are open and curious, but they remain patriots, which we no longer have the right to be in France…

For example, I often organise oyster tastings. For Poles, this is something rather exotic, but they are always curious and eager to try and discover new flavours.

There is one more thing that struck me. Polish society reminds me of French society in the 1970s. Not in a negative sense, but rather in terms of the freshness of life, a carefree attitude, and, above all, a sense of security. Here, women can dress as they wish without being harassed on the street. Their femininity is respected. In France, women are increasingly afraid to go out alone or use public transport.

Has Poland disappointed you in any way?

After 16 years of living in Poland, I have not had any significant disappointments. On the other hand, I noticed that Polish men my age, when married, do not go out with their friends very often. Perhaps this is a cultural difference compared to apéritifs in France. There, men often go out for a drink with their mates, and their wives meet up with each other. Here, meetings are usually mixed, which means that couples go out together and meet each other. There is more sharing between couples, perhaps it is the Slavic nature, while in France, it is between friends, especially in the south and in immigrant communities. Perhaps this is also because in Poland there are fewer bars where you can go and have a beer with your mates, or perhaps it is because in Polish homes it is the woman who has the more decisive voice (laughter). In any case, this changes a lot in social relations.

How did your media career in Poland begin? You are quite well known today.

My stay in Poland began with working in my primary profession – IT. However, even then I had a passion for cooking. Therefore, in 2014, I took part in the Master Chef television programme, which gave me a lot of media exposure. Thanks to this, I was able to sign my first agreements for live cooking with Auchan. I soon realised that I was earning more from cooking, so I gave up IT. Today, I am a professional chef. I organise live culinary events, represent brands, and develop recipes. This allows me to meet many interesting people. This is particularly important in Poland, because Poles are open and curious people. In France, we think we are very open, but in reality, we are not as open as the Poles. Whether in gastronomy or other fields, we are very chauvinistic! That’s why living abroad allows you to develop a certain open-mindedness, and moving to Poland allowed me to understand that.

How do Poles react to what you have to offer, and how would you rate Polish cuisine?

Generally speaking, the reaction of Poles is extremely positive. You can feel that they express themselves from the heart; it is much less pretentious than in France. So I try to put effort into even simple things. It has to be well-cooked, well-seasoned; it’s a matter of respect for the client: the food has to be good, even if it’s simple.

Polish cuisine is rich, but local and regional. It would therefore be an oversimplification to say that it is limited to dumplings, cabbage and chicken soup, although these are very popular dishes. Regardless of the city or region you visit, you can find local specialities. For example, one of my favourite dishes is Poznań-style duck. It is very good, but people don’t necessarily know about it because it is very local. Another example is white sour cereal soup in Silesia. Among the dishes that pleasantly surprised me, I can also mention such classics as pork knuckle and pickled cucumbers. However, there are also, understandably, things that I like a little less, such as sweet dumplings.

What about the flagship Polish dish, pork chop?

It’s very good! In France, a similar dish is called breaded escalope, with the difference that they are not tenderised. In Italy, for example, a little vinegar is added. The breadcrumb coating is called ‘English breadcrumbs’. It’s a simple dish, effective, and children love it!

Are you planning on staying in Poland?

I can clearly see my future here. I am happy here in Poland, and I am satisfied that my children are growing up here and not somewhere else.

Interviewed by Nathaniel Garstecka

Nathaniel Garstecka

A Frenchman born in Paris, with Polish-Jewish roots. He is passionate about the history and culture of Poland, France, and the Jewish people. Editor of 'All That Matters’. He lives in Warsaw.

Source: DlaPolonii.pl