Wirral Chef of the Year : Dominic Pospisil at Gem restaurant, Heswall

Jun 29 2011 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Wirral Chef of the Year : Dominic Pospisil at Gem restaurant, Heswall

GEM Restaurant’s Dominic Pospisil returns for another bite at the Wirral Chef of the Year cherry with an eclectic menu combining fruit and locally-sourced duck.

The Heswall eaterie proprietor hopes to scoop the crown with a diverse offering that kicks off with a spiced courgette bhaji.

Father-of-three Dominic said: “We do different things from around the world and I don’t want to just focus on one type of food.”

And with the experience gained by taking part in the contest last year, Dominic is hoping to keep building on the success he has already achieved at his intimate Milner Road restaurant.

He said: “I just did what I wanted to do, and still do what I think is interesting and what tastes good.

“I was pleased with how things went last year, it was a good service and people seemed happy.

“It’s a tough competition with lots of good guys in it, but someone’s got to win.”

Dominic hopes to take the title with a menu that opens with a spiced courgette bhaji, accompanied by carrot emulsion, carrot tip and coriander salad and a roasted orange dressing.

He said: “I was playing about with the bhaji for a couple of months, thinking what summer looks like.

“It’s bright, colourful and all works together really well.”The course fills this year’s Chef of the Year remit to provide one vegetarian dish, a challenge Dominic found easy to meet.

He said: “It’s easy enough because we always have to put a vegetarian course in regardless, and there’s plenty of choice around.”

Dominic’s main of locally-sourced Goosnargh duck is served in a soured cherry and port reduction, with a beetroot and potato rosti, accompanied by some of Heswall’s famous microherbs to provide a real taste and texture experience.

The menu ends with a seasonal strawberry cocktail, featuring locally sourced fruit – and Dominic can’t wait to get started.

He added: “I think every chef in the competition believes they can cook and produce good food, but it would be great to get some recognition for it as well.”

Wirral Chef of the Year at Gem, Milner Road, Heswall takes place on the evening of Tuesday, July 12. The cost of a three-course meal is £18.95.

To book call 342 4811.