Liverpool has no shortage of amazing restaurants with talented chefs serving up a dazzling array of dishes, but where do the professionals like to eat?
Being a chef is no easy job - it's a consistently high pressure environment and often requires unsociable hours - but all that experience around food requires exceptional dedication to produce and flavour.
With their passion and commitment to food, chefs are sure to frequent venues that offer something truly special. If a chef recommends a particular restaurant or café, then it’s got to be well worth trying.
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With that in mind, we sought the opinions of some of Liverpool's top chefs to find out which venues they're keen to champion and recommend to the masses. Here's what they had to say:
Paul Askew of The Art School on Sugnall Street
Famed local chef Paul Askew continues to make his mark on the city, with The Art School one of Liverpool's leading fine dining restaurants.
The high-end restaurant uses locally sourced food and globally-sourced beverages in a bid to create a truly unique occasion for diners, all against the beautiful backdrop of its Sugnall Street venue. The restaurant's luxurious main dining room offers a range of seasonal menus, which celebrate the best of the region's artisanal producers and vineyards.
The Art School also features The Art School Cellars, alongside a stunning private wine tasting space. But when it comes to eating out himself, chef patron Paul Askew, 56, recommends an Italian family-run restaurant in south Liverpool. He said: "I adore Cucina di Vincenzo in Childwall. It's imbued with this wonderfully warm Italian hospitality and every time we go we feel completely relaxed. What they do is just brilliant - artisanal homemade food with a focus on fresh fish - I could eat there every week.
"Also a special shout out to Gabbi Vincenzo who was recently on Masterchef - it was fantastic to see how she fared on the show and demonstrating her wonderful skills. It's essential for me to visit other restaurants as much as possible and enjoy what other chefs are doing around the city."
Cucina di Vincenzo is based at 256 Woolton Road, Childwall, Liverpool, L16 8NE. The Art School is based at 1 Sugnall Street, Liverpool, L7 7EB.
Harry Marquart of Barnacle at Duke Street Market
Harry Marquart is the head chef at Barnacle on Duke Street. The popular venue aims to celebrate the city's gastronomic maritime history throughout the decades. Barnacle works with a range of artisanal producers, farmers and cultivators right on the doorstep.
Harry, who also works with The Art School's Paul Askew, heaped praise on a 'proper pub' in Prescot when asked for his favourite place to eat out. The 31-year-old chef said: "The Mermaid Tavern in Prescot offers traditional, proper pub grub with no fuss or pretence, combined with a range of excellent ales and wines.
"I love nothing more than a relaxing Sunday where I can get away from the madness of a stressful week and The Mermaid Tavern is where to find this tranquillity. I'm eagerly awaiting what Jay Coso will bring to the area.
"I've been lucky enough to sample some of their dishes ahead of opening – the roast beef with Yorkshire puddings and properly reduced gravy and the pheasant with black pudding parsnip purée, creamed hispy cabbage and a simple red wine sauce are immense. Classic pub cooking at its best."
The Mermaid Tavern is based at 21 Market Place, Prescot, L34 5SB. Barnacle is based at The Mezzanine, Duke Street Market, 46 Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 5AS.
Sam Grainger of Madre and Belzan
Madre is a popular Mexican restaurant that specialises in street tacos and cocktails, in an industrial yet stylish setting that boasts a large terrace - ideal for when the warmer weather rolls back around.
It was founded in 2019 by the people behind Belzan on Smithdown Road, and has firmly established itself on Liverpool's hospitality scene. Similarly, its sister venue, Belzan, is equally lauded and popular thanks to its brunch, lunch and dinner options.
Sam Grainger, 32, is a chef at both Madre and Belzan. The food loving whizz was keen to recommend multiple establishments in Liverpool. Of Sutikku Bowl on Aigburth Road, Sam said: "Amazing Japanese food, always amazing flavours and brilliant cooking. Go for the beef donburi."
The chef branded Ejoy Asian Foods on Myrtle street "unbelievable". He said: "An Asian supermarket with some of the city's best Asian food vendors, [I especially love the] Xiao Long Bao dumplings [which are] handmade to order. Unbelievable. Order the pork and prawn Xiao Long Bao."
Sam also praised Hibiki Sushi and Ramen on Renshaw Street. Explaining his recommendation, the chef said: "The best bowl of ramen in the city, hands down. [It] opened last year and has become very popular - fantastic ramen and really good quality sushi."
The chef also recommends the popular Bold Street restaurant, Elif. He said: "There are a few around the city but this one is my favourite. [It's a] Turkish grill restaurant with huge portions and great flavours, really authentic, with rice to die for. Order the whole sea bass and mixed grill."
Finally, Sam was keen to share his love for Buyers Club on Hardman Street. He said: "[It's] probably my favourite bowl of pasta in the city - handmade and full of flavour. Not an over complicated menu, it's simple but hits the spot every time."
Madre is based at 6, Atlantic Pavilion Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AE. Belzan can be found at 371 Smithdown Road, Liverpool, L15 3JJ
Alex Navarro of Maray
Alex Navarro is a chef at beloved small plate and cocktail venue, Maray. Founded in 2014, the team behind the rapidly growing brand were keen to use their experiences in cultural hotspot Paris to offer diners something special and high quality.
It now boasts several sites, where food lovers can indulge in a variety of dishes designed for sharing. Chef Alex, 40, was keen to sing its praises. He told the ECHO: "When I need my falafel and hummus fix, it's always Maray for me. I know I'm biased but I was a customer of Maray for many years before I joined the company two years ago. Put one of our falafel sharers in front of me with a few fluffy pittas and I'm a very happy chef."
He was also keen to champion several other venues in Liverpool and beyond, recommending Pranzo Cafe in Crosby. He said: "Pranzo is a family-owned, Italian sandwich shop located on Bridge Road in Crosby. I go here for polpette and pasta, but if I'm lucky there will be arancini left. It's also not far from the Antony Gormley statues on Crosby beach."
Those looking for the perfect Sunday roast should head to Wavertree Town Hall, according to Alex. He said: "[For] Sunday roast, apart from our own amazing Maray Sunday roast, Wavertree Town Hall's roasts are right up there. It's beautiful inside too - being from L15 myself, I was really happy when this iconic building was restored."
Alex is a big fan of food from other parts of the globe, and was keen to share his favourite Asian restaurants. He said: "I love Chinese food - give me all the dim sum. Especially steamed ribs with salted black beans. And then a family favourite, roasted three meats with a heavy dollop of crispy chilli oil, all from Mei Mei on Berry Street.
"I cook with spice all the time and absolutely adore Indian and South Asian food. Sanskruti Restaurant [on Bixteth Street] serves outstanding vegetarian and vegan Indian food." Maray has two Liverpool venues, which can be found here.
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