A Liverpool chef has been shortlisted for Chef Of The Year at the British Kebab Awards for the second year running, after winning the award in 2023. Turkish Masterchef Kemal Coskuncay has been recognised as one of the 10 best kebab chefs in the country yet again and will travel to London on 27th February 2024 to take part in the prestigious awards ceremony.
The British Kebab Awards is now in its 12th year and attracts a host of celebrities, prominent politicians, journalists and most importantly the nation’s hard-working restaurant workers for an evening of celebration. The kebab industry is worth over £2.2 billion to the UK economy and the awards are sponsored by Just Eat.
Turkish Masterchef Kemal Coskuncay is based in South Liverpool and is the owner of Private Delicacies — a private dining and consultation company. Masterchef Kemal works with some of Liverpool’s top restaurants including Al Dente on Lark Lane — a restaurant that has consistently been in the Top 10 restaurants in Liverpool on Trip Advisor — and Casa Rima in Halewood.
A lifelong Liverpool fan, Masterchef Kemal moved to the city in February 2020 following much success in London, working at multi award winning restaurants such as Marrakesh in Leicester Square and winning a ‘Best Foreign Chef In London’ award. A member of the International Gastronomy Federation, his career has been as colourful as his dishes.
Masterchef Kemal has also manages Al Dente beach restaurant in Didim, a multi-award winning restaurant in Altinkum, Turkey, that has won Best Organic Turkish Food and Best Resort Restaurant awards. Now settled in Liverpool with his wife and three children where he spends most of his time, Kemal has set the city alight with his culinary prowess.
Kemal said: “It is a real honour to be recognised once again after winning Chef Of The Year last year. I have been working very hard throughout my career and take great pride in what I do. I started out as a dishwasher and kitchen porter in Bodrum but learnt from the chefs, worked my way up and eventually became Young Chef Of The Year.”
He continued: “I am what is called a New Generation chef and I blend traditional Turkish methods and recipes with my own modern twists. Whether it be kebabs, tomahawk steaks or seafood dishes, I use only the finest ingredients. I am very passionate both as a chef and restaurant consultant and it feels great to be recognised by the British Kebab Awards for my work for the second year running.”
The 2024 awards features judges such as LBC Broadcaster James O’Brien, Directors of companies such as Oktopus Energy and Makro/Booker and a host of celebrities and MPs. Backed by the likes of Sajid Javid, the British Kebab Awards has become one of the most respected awards in UK hospitality, with kebabs having undergone a transformation in public perception.
Liverpool will be rooting for Masterchef Kemal Coskuncay — a person who has become very much loved by the city’s diners. Masterchef Kemal has endeared himself to Scousers both for his personality and culinary creations but also for his outreach work — delivering hundreds of meals to local vulnerable people and teaching children how to cook at The Florrie.
Kemal summarised: “I love Liverpool and I have always wanted to live here. I am a big Liverpool F.C fan, as are my children, so serving food for Liverpool legends such as Ian Callaghan has been like a dream. I love the people here — they are friendly and really appreciate great food and service. I’m so happy to be recognised as one of the best chefs in the country again but to be recognised by Scousers is even more special to me.”
Masterchef Kemal Coskuncay has been nominated for Chef Of The Year at the 12th annual British Kebab Awards, hosted at Park Plaza Westminster Hotel on 27th February 2024. Masterchef Kemal offers private dining events through his company, Private Delicacies, and is chef and consultant for some of Liverpool’s best restaurants such as Al Dente on Lark Lane and Casa Rima in Halewood.
For more on the British Kebab Awards and this year’s finalists CLICK HERE!
