Slawosz collaborated with a well-known chef and a Polish family-owned company to create a menu that captures the essence of Polish cuisine. The specially prepared space-friendly dishes include pierogi stuffed with cabbage and mushrooms, tomato soup with noodles, Polish "leczo" stew with buckwheat, and apple crumble for dessert.
About 10 percent of an astronaut's menu is dedicated to personal selections, known as bonus food, which enhances their dining experience, supports psychological well-being, and fosters camaraderie among the crew.
"I wanted a truly Polish menu that I could share with my fellow astronauts. Food brings psychological comfort, and I instantly thought it would be worth taking some Polish delicacies into orbit," says Slawosz.
"When I heard about the possibility of choosing my bonus food menu, pierogi were always at the top of my list! I like to make them myself," explains Slawosz.
However, bringing pierogi to space proved more difficult than expected. The initial batches kept bursting, making it clear that the freeze-drying process needed refinement. The challenge was to ensure moisture was effectively removed from the filling without compromising the dough, while also addressing water retention after rehydration.
Slawosz worked with LYOFOOD, a Polish family business with extensive experience in freeze-drying, to perfect the process. After multiple trials, they successfully adapted pierogi for space consumption, allowing astronauts to enjoy them with hot water from the station's dispensers.
Renowned Polish chef and restaurateur Mateusz Gessler contributed to the creation of the main dishes, while the apple crumble dessert comes from LYOFOOD's existing menu.
Related Links
Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
