Single Mum-of-Two, 31, Dies After Choking on Pizza at Restaurant

A mother of two tragically lost her life after choking on a slice of pizza while at work in the restaurant kitchen. Paulina Wanat, a 31-year-old chef, had been employed at Ristorante Taormina in Oświęcim, a town west of Krakow, Poland, when the incident occurred.

According to reports, she began to feel unwell after tasting a piece of pizza, and soon after, she started vomiting.

CCTV footage showed her hurrying to the bathroom before returning to the restaurant floor, where she collapsed.

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As the terrifying scene unfolded, her colleagues immediately sprang into action.

While one quickly contacted emergency services, others began administering CPR in a desperate attempt to revive her.

Paulina Wanat with one of her children. (Picture: Jam Press)

Paramedics and firefighters arrived swiftly and took over the resuscitation efforts, but despite their intensive attempts, Paulina could not be brought back to consciousness.

She was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but medical staff later confirmed that she had suffered irreversible brain damage. Her death was officially recorded on Friday, March 14, as first reported by vknews24.

Ristorante Taormina in Poland. (Picture: Jam Press)

Paulina is survived by her two young children — a five-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son — whom she had been raising alone.

Her family has described her as a fiercely devoted mother, often juggling multiple jobs to ensure her children were cared for.

Her sister-in-law Sylwia shared that Paulina’s son lives with significant health challenges, including hearing impairment and muscular issues, requiring regular rehabilitation. Despite these difficulties, Paulina never wavered in her commitment to her family.

Paulina Wanat. (Picture: Jam Press)

“She sometimes worked three jobs at once to provide everything for her children,” Sylwia said.

Paulina had only been working at the pizzeria for six months before the devastating incident.

The restaurant paid tribute to her, describing her as a radiant and valued member of the team.

“Always full of smiles, commitment, and positive energy, she made this place more than just a job,” a spokesperson for Ristorante Taormina said.

Paulina Wanat with one of her children. (Picture: Jam Press)

“She created an atmosphere of warmth and kindness.”

Since news of her death broke, an outpouring of support has been directed toward her family.

A fundraiser set up to help support her children has already collected over £23,970 (equivalent to 120,000 Polish złoty), as friends, strangers, and members of the community rally to help the young family she leaves behind.

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SOURCE: Single mum-of-two 31, dies after choking on pizza slice at restaurant | Need To Know