After becoming viral via TikTok, a former bartender learned to cook while locked down. 

Bartek is a 25-year old Londoner who was furloughed in April from his job as a bartender. He became bored and made a cheesecake. 

His younger sister Tosia, 16, was so impressed she encouraged him to post a video of the cake online and his second post – creamy garlic and parmesan chicken – went viral, reaching 500,000 people overnight.   

The budding chef, who goes under the username Letsmunch, has had such success that he has decided to leave his job as a bartender and launch Let’s Munch: The Chronicles. 

Bartek, 25, who lives in London, who learned how to cook during lockdown, has revealed how he quit his job and released a recipe book after going viral on TikTok

Bartek, 25, a Londoner, learned how to cook while under lockdown. He has now revealed that he left his job, and published a cookbook after becoming viral via TikTok

His mouth-watering recipes include avocado toast with bacon, hollandaise sauce and a poached egg

The chef also cooks delicious cheesecake swirl brownies

Some of his mouthwatering creations include avocado toast with bacon and hollandaise sauce (left), and cheesecake swirl brownies 

The budding chef has been so successful that he was able to quit his bartending job for good in August 2021 and has now launched his own book of recipes called Let's Munch: The Chronicles

The budding chef is so popular that he was able quit his bartending job in August 2021. In his place, he launched Let’s Munch The Chronicles, a book featuring his recipes.

TikTok chef Mariola, currently 580,000 strong, fell in love first with food when he was watching Mariola make Polish traditional recipes. However, he only started cooking properly last year. 

Bartek explained that she was always in the kitchen cooking with her mother, so she has taught me many things. But, lockdown is what really made him a chef. 

‘I filmed my first video and taught myself from there – I didn’t spend hours learning.’

Bartek enjoyed trying new flavours, such as spicy mango margarita, steak and Eggs Benedict and fried Chorizo mac and cheese ball, so he posted more videos. He also filmed the entire process with his iPhone and edited the footage himself. 

Bartek's breakfast bun featuring caramelised onions, cheese, egg and bacon on a brioche roll

Bartek's Korean BBQ Corn Dogs

Pictured left,  Bartek’s breakfast bun featuring caramelised onions, cheese, egg and bacon on a brioche roll. Right, his Korean BBQ Corn Dogs

‘I have never believed I am artistic or creative before. But since I started to cook, I simply put music on and allow myself to work for two or three more hours. [to try out a recipe]And I feel in the zone. It feels like my head is floating away.

“With TikTok, I found it very easy to get into the business at an ideal time when everybody was home cooking. It made it much easier for me to expand my reach.

‘It all happened so quickly – about four months after I started, I had a real following and people started to remake my recipes.

“Overlockdown I would film a recipe, and the next day it was shared with 10 other people. “I just took it one day at a time and got into the flow of things.”

Bartek worked as a burger flipper at Gourmet Burger Kitchen and believes that his success is not only down to the quality of his food but also his reputation.

The TikTok chef, who currently has 580,000 dedicated followers, first fell in love with food while watching his mum, Mariola, whip up traditional Polish recipes

TikTok’s chef currently enjoys 580,000 loyal followers. He first discovered his love for food when he watched Mariola make traditional Polish dishes.

Bartek's recipes include Baked French Toast.

Another of Bartek's mouthwatering dishes

Bartek has many delicious recipes, including Baked French Toast (left), and delicious savoury meals (right).

He explained that there aren’t many chefs today who the younger generation could relate to.

‘You have Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver but not many younger people – especially from London.

“I believe young people view me as a London boy who does it, talking like them and then think “yeah, maybe I could do that.”

Bartek started out as an economics major, but soon realized it was not for him. He decided to get a bachelor’s degree. his new career path has come as a total surprise.

Bartek originally did a degree in economics but quickly realised it wasn't for him. Pictured: Bartek while working as a bartender

Bartek began his studies in Economics, but quickly realized that it wasn’t the right path for him. Pictured is Bartek as a bartender 

Bartek, who previously worked flipping burgers at a Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurant, believes his success might not just be down to the food, but also thanks to his image

Bartek worked as a burger flipper at Gourmet Burger Kitchen. He believes that his success is not only down to the quality of his food but also his reputation.

He stated that he enjoys it so it isn’t difficult for me. Most of the recipes are easy to make on my first attempt.

“Being a full-time employee, it gives me more time and flexibility to create everything from scratch. It’s something I love to make and it’s what draws people to me.

He has now launched his recipe book, featuring some of his most popular dishes – including Korean beef bulgogi, buffalo chicken Alfredo and budget-friendly ramen.

The recipes are available in printed copies, but each recipe also comes with a QR code that allows fans to cook with their home chefs.

His stuffed French Toast, which has amassed 800,000 Likes and been viewed over 4.5 Million Times, is a recent TikTok hit.

Finding it fun to experiment with new flavours Bartek continued posting videos, filming the process on his phone and editing the clips himself

He is pictured trying one of his mouth-watering recipes

Bartek enjoyed trying new flavors, such as spicy mango margarita Prawns, steak and Eggs Benedict and fried Chorizo mac and cheese ball, while also continuing to post videos.

What’s the secret to this? The secret? Soak a loaf of brioche in custard, then stuff it with marshmallow spread before frying it. This simple trick was a hit with his fans.

The stacked burger recipe, which he created was also very popular with 175,000 users liking it.

One individual commented, “It’s an 10/10 from my point of view.”

One viewer said, “Omg! This looks great!”

Another person added, “I tried it and it was amazing.” [sic]

A user commented, “Looks insanely delicious,”

A recent hit on TikTok has been his stuffed French toast, which racked up 800,000 likes and was viewed more than 4.5 million times

His stuffed French Toast, which has received 800,000 Likes and been viewed over 4.5 Million Times, is a recent TikTok hit.

He has now launched his recipe book, featuring some of his most popular dishes ¿ including creamy garlic and parmesan chicken

Pictured, Bartek's honey Sriracha chicken sandwich

He has now launched his recipe book, featuring some of his most popular dishes – including creamy garlic and parmesan chicken and a honey Sriracha chicken sandwich

Other viewers commented on other posts that Gordon Ramsay would enjoy this and suggested Bartek need his own cooking program.

Bartek shared his thoughts about the change in career and TikTok’s stardom: “It was a little shock, but it’s something I have gotten used to.”

‘I don’t like focusing on the numbers so I won’t make a video just for it to go viral – I want to keep it natural.

“I am just enjoying the process and taking it one day at a time.”