Magdalena Tomaszewska-Bolałek, PhD
I am an Orientalist, Japanologist, culture expert, food writer, food culture scholar, director of Food Studies at the SWPS University, Bunkatura Foundation President and, IGCAT expert (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism).
My research focuses on the history and anthropology of food, along with food tourism and culinary diplomacy. I have actively promoted Polish cuisine abroad through workshops, meetings, and lectures.
I am the author of numerous publications on Japanese, Korean, Nordic, and Polish food cultures. My work has earned me various prestigious awards, including the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, the Prix de la Littérature Gastronomique, the Chinese Diamond Cuisine Award, and the Polish Magellan Awards.
I collaborate with institutions, government organizations, tourism organizations, and companies in areas such as culinary diplomacy, food tourism, promotion, national branding, and the promotion of local products.
Latest projects and activities
• Hosting Warsaw Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka – Capital City of Warsaw and Go To Warsaw
• Development of Strategy for the Toruń Gingerbread Culinary Trail – Local Tourist Organization in Toruń
• Lecture on Culinary Diplomacy – European Festival of Taste 2025
• Lecture on the Art of Culinary Diplomacy – Festiwal Polskiej Żywności 2025
• Culinary Diplomacy – How Does It Work? – Panel Discussion at Polska Design Talks. Food Goes Local
• Developing the Concept and Plan for Warsaw Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka – Capital City of Warsaw and Go To Warsaw
• Consulting Service in Food Tourism – City of Warsaw and Go To Warsaw
• Meeting on Polish Culinary Culture and Holiday Customs – EIT Food
• Promotion of Polish culinary culture in Singapore – Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Singapore
• Report “Opportunities for the Development of Food Tourism in Warsaw” – City of Warsaw and Go To Warsaw
• Lecture and workshops “How can culinary culture be used in library activities?” – Public Library of the Capital City of Warsaw, Main Library of the Mazovian Voivodeship
• Lecture “Christmas baking” – The Museum of Toruń Gingerbread
• Lecture “Food as a Carrier of Culture” – Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw
• Lecture “Food culture as a tool for promoting the region” – Kashubia Tourist Association
• Lecture “Culinary Diplomacy and Food Tourism” – The European Festival of Taste in Lublin
• Promotion of Polish culinary culture in Seoul – Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Seoul
• Lecture “Culinary Heritage in Culture, Tourism, and Regional Promotion” – Municipal Cultural Center in Bydgoszcz
• Meeting on Swedish Culinary Traditions – Scandic Gdańsk
• Lecture “Making a Profit from Food Tourism” – Tourist Conference 2023, Greater Poland Tourism Organization
• Lecture “Tailoring tourist products to fit the needs of Scandinavian guests” – Pomorskie Business Summit
• Lecture on Culinary Trends – Congress of Chefs and Restaurateurs, Warsaw
• Lecture “Culinary Tourism and the Potential of Housewives’ Circles” – III Lublin Tourism Forum, Marshal’s Office of the Lublin Voivodeship
• Lecture “You Can’t Eat in a Museum? Between a Culinary Museum and a Gastronomic Region” – New Trends in Tourism 2023, Visit Gdańsk, Gdańsk Convention Bureau
• Panel on Quality Products – Polska Wódka Association
• Finnish Breakfasts – ISKU and TAR Design
• Webinar “The Way to a Tourist’s Heart is Through the Stomach” – Visit Gdańsk