WIRRAL CHEFS SHINE 2009: Sous chef Kevin keeps it all in the family

Jun 3 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

IT’S A family affair for Kevin Parry! The sous chef at La Paz in West Kirby, our second finalist for 2009, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his brother Colin, who triumphed in the competition in 2007.

The 25-year-old, who grew up in Bromborough, started his working life in banking before switching careers when Colin and wife Amy, brother Phil and parents Julie and Michael opened the restaurant in Banks Road in 2006.

With the brothers working as a team in the kitchen, La Paz has gone from strength to strength.

Kevin, a former pupil at Bebington High, said: “The whole family’s always been big about food.

“I was working at Bank of America in Chester but chef-ing was always something I wanted to do.

“I wasn’t really happy in banking so when the opportunity came up to work here it was too good to refuse.”

Kevin’s Wirral Chefs Shine is the first in the competition’s history to have seafood as both a starter and a main course.

He has chosen to use Brixham brown crab in the main course – but the second seafood element of the dish will depend on the local catch of the day.

It’s a bold move by a chef who believes innovation is the name of the game.

Kevin says he enjoys the creativity of his job and the intensity of a busy kitchen.

He said: “I enjoy using my creativity and designing new dishes.

“We try to be innovative and we always aim to try new food and experiment.

“Fortunately we’re able to do that a lot here because it’s our own business.

“Working alongside Colin is the best training I could have had. He’s got 14 years’ experience and I learned very quickly.

“I don’t think I could have had a better mentor.”

Wirral Chefs Shine at La Paz in Banks Road, West Kirby takes place from 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 16.

The cost of a three-course meal is £14.95.

To book call the restaurant on 625 7200.

Please note that bookings for Wirral Chefs Shine will only be taken from 3.30pm on Friday (June 5).

Wirral Chefs Shine 2009 is supported by Wirral Council, the Mersey Partnership, Wirral Met College and Liverpool Community College.