Local StoriesJuly 9, 2026

Exploring Life & Business with Sylwia Stachyra of CookShe by Sylwia Stachyra

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylwia Stachyra.

Hi Sylwia , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story has always been driven by curiosity, hard work, and a love for bringing people together through food. I grew up in Poland, where cooking was more than just preparing meals—it was a way of expressing love and creating memories.

My career has taken me on an incredible journey. I worked in professional kitchens, cooked aboard luxury yachts around the world, and eventually won Top Chef Poland. Later, I had the privilege of representing Poland on Top Chef World All Stars, competing alongside some of the best chefs from around the globe. Those experiences challenged me, shaped my confidence, and taught me that growth begins outside your comfort zone.

In 2024, my family and I made another life-changing decision—we moved to the United States. Starting over in a new country has been both exciting and challenging, but it has also inspired me to dream even bigger. Today, I’m focused on building my culinary brand, CookShe, while developing my newest passion project, Potato Girl—a cookbook and lifestyle brand celebrating one of the world’s most humble yet extraordinary ingredients: the potato.

Beyond cooking, I love teaching, sharing knowledge, and inspiring others to believe that it’s never too late to follow a dream. Whether I’m creating recipes, hosting culinary experiences, or working on new creative projects, my goal is always the same: to bring joy, connection, and a little bit of magic through food.

Looking back, every challenge has led me to an opportunity I never expected. That’s why I believe the best recipes—and the best stories—are created with courage, persistence, and a willingness to take chances.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe that’s what has made the journey so meaningful.

The culinary industry is incredibly demanding. It requires long hours, constant learning, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Throughout my career, I’ve had to prove myself many times, whether working in professional kitchens, competing on television, or taking on new challenges in unfamiliar environments.

One of the biggest turning points was moving from Poland to the United States with my family. Leaving behind an established career, professional network, and everything familiar meant starting almost from scratch. Building a business in a new country while adapting to a different culture and raising two young daughters has been one of the greatest challenges of my life.

At the same time, becoming a mother has completely changed my perspective. It has taught me how to balance ambition with family and reminded me that success isn’t just about professional achievements—it’s also about creating a meaningful life for the people you love.

Every obstacle has taught me something valuable. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, I see them as opportunities to grow, become more creative, and find new paths forward. Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one has helped shape the person and entrepreneur I am today.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Business Description

CookShe is my culinary brand, built around creativity, education, and unforgettable food experiences. Through CookShe, I create original recipes, host culinary events, collaborate with leading brands, teach cooking, and inspire people to discover the joy of cooking with confidence.

What makes my journey unique is that I have experienced almost every side of the culinary world. I have worked in fine dining restaurants, cooked aboard luxury yachts around the world, won Top Chef Poland, and later represented my country on Top Chef World All Stars, competing alongside some of the world’s most talented chefs. Each of these experiences has shaped my philosophy that great food is about passion, creativity, and bringing people together.

In 2024, my family and I made the exciting decision to move to the United States. Starting over in a new country has been both challenging and inspiring. Today, I am focused on building CookShe into an international culinary brand while also developing my newest passion project, Potato Girl—a cookbook and lifestyle brand celebrating the incredible versatility of one of the world’s most beloved ingredients.

Beyond creating recipes, I enjoy teaching, speaking at culinary events, developing new food concepts, creating content, and collaborating with brands that share my values of quality, creativity, and innovation. My mission is to inspire people to cook with confidence, appreciate simple ingredients, and create meaningful moments around the table.

At the heart of everything I do is one simple belief: food has the power to bring people together, create lasting memories, and tell stories that stay with us long after the meal is over.

I’m not just building a culinary business—I’m building a brand that encourages people to dream bigger, embrace new beginnings, and never stop creating.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t think of myself as someone who takes reckless risks. Instead, I believe in taking courageous, well-considered steps toward growth. For me, the biggest risk isn’t failing—it’s staying in the same place because you’re afraid to try.

When I look back at my life, I realize that almost every important chapter began with a decision that felt uncertain. At the age of 25, I became the head chef of my first restaurant in the United Kingdom. I left my home country to build a career abroad, later lived and worked in Turkey, and eventually moved with my family to the United States to begin a completely new chapter. Every move meant leaving behind stability, learning a new culture, earning people’s trust, and proving myself all over again.

I’ve always believed that investing in yourself is one of the best risks you can take. I earned a Master’s degree in Law before fully dedicating myself to my culinary career. Along the way, I continued learning by gaining professional culinary certifications, studying languages, and constantly expanding my knowledge. I speak several languages, including English and Turkish, because every new language has opened doors to new opportunities and meaningful connections.

Travel has also shaped who I am. I’ve had the opportunity to work and cook in many countries across Europe and Asia, including Japan and Thailand. Every destination challenged me to understand local ingredients, respect different culinary traditions, and earn the trust of local people through my food. Those experiences taught me humility, adaptability, and the importance of staying curious.

Winning Top Chef Poland and competing in Top Chef World All Stars were also risks. Putting yourself in front of millions of viewers means accepting that you’ll be judged, challenged, and pushed beyond your limits. But those experiences made me stronger—not just as a chef, but as a person.

Today, I’m taking another exciting risk by building my culinary brand in the United States. I believe that meaningful opportunities rarely come from staying comfortable. Growth begins the moment we choose curiosity over fear, and that is the philosophy I try to live by every day.

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.cookshe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylwia_stachyra_top_chef
Facebook: Sylwia Stachyra TOP CHEF Facebook
LinkedIn: Sylwia Stachyra LinkedIn

Woman with two children, one in a pink dress, in a room with a statue and a table, smiling and hugging.

Woman in white chef's coat with name embroidered, standing indoors near window with plants, arms crossed, looking at camera.

Person with blonde hair wearing a white shirt and black apron working with circular objects on a table.

People participating in a cooking class outdoors, preparing food at a long table with cooking utensils and ingredients.

Four children dressed as chefs sit at a table with a Christmas tree behind them, in a shopping mall. They wear chef hats and uniforms.

Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a patterned top, looking at the camera with a neutral expression.

Chef drizzling sauce onto plated desserts in a professional kitchen, wearing a white uniform and black apron.

Chef drizzles dark sauce over a plated gourmet dish with colorful vegetables and a piece of meat on a white plate.

Assorted colorful vegetables and garnishes arranged on a dark plate, with some scattered crumbs and sauce, viewed from above.

Person preparing food in a kitchen, with various ingredients on a wooden board, and a bowl of salad nearby.

Plate with grilled zucchini, cucumber slices, and herbs on a green dish, with a blurred background of a glass and a jar.

Empty black bowl with small food pieces and colorful garnishes inside, on a white surface.

Woman with glasses and blonde hair in police uniform standing in front of a clock, with text 'SYLWIA STACHYRA'.

Collage of people, including a woman, a man, and children, with colorful background and text 'Top Chef'.

Group of people standing outdoors on grass with a castle in the background, smiling and posing for a photo.

Woman with hair in a bun holding two cookies, one near her eye and one in her hand, against a blue background.

Group of people on stage holding a large check, celebrating with a colorful background and confetti, smiling and clapping.

Woman holding a large check for 100,000 zł on stage with a gold curtain background.

Two women standing together, one in a chef's uniform holding a trophy, the other in a shiny silver dress, smiling.

Four women in aprons and chef jackets stand behind a stainless steel kitchen counter with food ingredients and a cake, smiling.

Portrait of a woman with brown hair styled back, wearing a white top, looking directly at the camera.

Logo with text 'CookShe' and a frying pan graphic, with the name Sylwia Stachyra, on a white background.

Woman holding a baby outdoors in a field with a clear blue sky, both smiling, woman wearing a white lace top.

Two women in white chef jackets stand behind a kitchen counter with plates of cookies, smiling.

Chef preparing food in a kitchen with a dining area in the background, six empty plates with small food garnishes, and various ingredients on the counter.

Two women in black uniforms stand behind a table with small bowls of food, smiling in a room with large windows.

Two women speaking into microphones, one with a bookcase background, a plate with food, and a black banner with white text.

Two women smiling, one holding a plate with food, in a metallic kitchen environment.

Two women in black chef jackets smiling and talking in a commercial kitchen with stainless steel appliances and ingredients on the counter.

Two people seated on stage, one holding a microphone, engaged in conversation with a black curtain backdrop.

Woman with pink headband holding a box of frozen pasta, shelves of food products in background.

Woman sitting on a sofa in a waiting area with a large screen behind her displaying travel information, in Scotland, United Kingdom.

Woman with pink headband holding a plate of food, surrounded by people in a kitchen setting.

Smiling woman with pink headband presenting a dish on a red plate in a restaurant setting.

Two women smiling and holding microphones indoors, one wearing a black shirt and the other a pink scarf.

People gathered around a table with food, on a balcony overlooking water, with a view of the city skyline.

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