People
Meet the Dockers: Justyna Buczma
Step inside London’s Kitchen Cafe at City Hall and you’ll find more than just great coffee and homemade dishes – you'll meet Justyna Buczma the passionate General Manager behind the scenes. With years of hospitality experience and a deep love for food, Justyna has transformed the café into a welcoming hub for both the public and Greater London Authority staff.
In this edition of Meet the Dockers, Justyna shares what makes London’s Kitchen Café so special and why she loves being part of the team.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I started managing London’s Kitchen Café at City Hall back in April 2024. Before that, I spent several years working in contract catering and worked in some busy high street restaurants. It really helped me learn the ropes of the food and hospitality world. This career is perfect for me because I genuinely love people and food! I’m all about making sure every guest has a great experience and leaves happy.
What makes London’s Kitchen Café unique?
We’re lucky to be located right inside City Hall. Not just because it’s the home of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, but also because we have stunning views overlooking Royal Victoria Dock and the IFS Cable Car.
Our cafe is built on a strong foundation of sustainability. We champion fairtrade, organic, free range and sustainably sourced seafood, and we’re actively working to reduce our carbon footprint. We also work with several great local suppliers. It’s part of Graysons ethos.
As well being a popular choice for City Hall staff, we’re open to the public too. Local residents regularly stop by for coffee, breakfast, or lunch and we welcome visitors attending public meetings in the Chamber or those eager to explore City Hall. Dining in such an iconic building is a unique experience!
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
No two days are the same! As General Manager, I oversee everything – from kitchen operations and front of house service to finances and safety standards and ensuring hospitality bookings for City Hall events run smoothly. It’s a busy role, but I love the variety.
What’s on the menu?
Our menu is packed with global flavours and homemade seasonal dishes. We change it weekly to keep things fresh and exciting. One of the highlights is our homemade cakes! My favourite is a signature French cake - the chefs like to keep the recipe a secret, but trust me, it’s delicious!
What do you love most about your role?
Seeing happy customers is the best part of the job. We often receive lovely feedback about our food and the warm, friendly atmosphere. Our amazing team – Adam, Lohi and Jackie are known for making everyone feel welcome. It’s so good to work alongside such dedicated people.
Visit London’s Kitchen Café
London’s Kitchen Café is on the ground floor of City Hall, just past security.
Location:
City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE
Opening hours:
Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:00pm
Breakfast served 8.30am – 10.30am
Lunch served 11.30am - 2.30pm
