'It’s better that I’m staying home playing with Lego than going to pubs': Limerick chef on his passion for iconic brick

Limerick chef Jarek Walter's Lego builds are being featured in Lego House in Denmark. Picture: Brian Arthur

Jarek Walter has managed to turn Lego into an art form thanks to spending countless nights at home with the famous brick while his peers live it up at bars and parties.

However, the Limerick chef’s passion for the miniature bricks is not just keeping him out of trouble. His hard work has also earned him a coveted spot exhibiting at the famous Lego House in Denmark.

The 42-year-old is no stranger to the attraction, having exhibited work there on a number of occasions.

Jarek’s latest piece, Mr Bacteria, a character made up of more than 500 tiny spikes, complete with eyes, shoes, and a hat, is set to go on display in 2026.

Jarek created the piece around this year’s theme, ‘Under the microscope’.

“I suppose it’s better that I’m staying home and playing with Lego at night than going to pubs or parties,” he joked.

“That’s what my partner says. It’s better for her, I think, but for me it’s better also.”

Jarek says part of the brick’s attraction is that it de-stresses him.

Jarek Walter with his latest piece, Mr Bacteria, a character made up of more than 500 tiny spikes, complete with eyes, shoes, and a hat, is set to go on display in Denmark next year. Picture: Brian Arthur

“When I’m building with Lego, I forget everything around me. Sometimes I forget to eat because I’m so focused on the task.

“My partner loves gardening so she has her world and I have mine.”

This will be Jarek’s fifth model to feature at Lego House. His previous pieces were inspired by flowers and nature.

A co-founder of Dublin Brick Con, Jarek said he fell back in love with Lego after moving to Ireland from Poland in 2011. He added: 

My priorities changed when I was about 14 and I left Lego behind. However, I got back into it when I came to Ireland. 

"A friend of mine brought some of his Lego over and I saw all the things you could build. My love for it started all over again.

“It gave me the same feeling as when I was a kid but it’s different now. When I was child, I just had a shoebox of Lego and that was it. There was no way my parents would have been able to buy me everything I wanted. Now I have 20 boxes.”

Jarek is understandably proud of the models he has made.

Jarek Walter says he had left Lego behind him in his teens but rediscovered it as an adult and 'my love for it started all over again.'

He said: “Whenever I exhibit them, I’ll have kids asking how they are made. I really enjoy making flowers. Sometimes I might see a flower in the garden and start thinking about what kind of bricks I need to make it with Lego.”

In previous years, Jarek has travelled to Denmark to see his designs on display at Lego House.

“I’ve spent eight hours over there,” he admits. “As soon as you get there, you want to do as many pictures and videos as possible.”

The artist says he enjoys creating pieces to make others smile, especially his work colleagues.

“I work at an Italian restaurant so I made an Italian sandwich out of Lego for my workplace and they loved it. Even if they don’t play with Lego themselves, they still like what I do.

“I also send pictures and videos of what I’ve made to my parents in Poland and they love seeing them.”

Jarek’s work featured as part of last year’s Late Late Toy Show set, which came with its own pressure. He added: “I created Steve from Minecraft. I was nervous at first as we only had about two weeks to make it but I was able to design it on a computer so I knew exactly what parts I needed to order. I still have him today.”