A Liverpool chef renowned for being the city's most honest and controversial is to star in a Channel 4 documentary this week following his journey to open a new restaurant in a deprived Merseyside town.
Gary Usher founded his award-winning Elite Bistros group in 2011, and the hour-long show will reveal an insight into his goal to bring "exceptional food to the masses".
Chef-entrepreneur Mr Usher is famous in the city for breaking down the barriers between owners and customers - even hitting back against negative reviews when they pop up .
This week's programme will focus in specifically on his quest to launch Pinion in Prescot, Knowsley, from the rubble of an old BetFred shop in a town that hasn't had a new restaurant in 30 years.
The programme will show Mr Usher's attempts to crowdfund £50,000 to build a French style bistro before "convincing a town of sceptical locals to fall in love with deep fried pig head croquettes and steak tartar".
Who is Gary Usher?
After leaving school at 16, Mr Usher, who was born in St Albans before moving to North Wales as a child, worked in a series of pubs and top restaurants before opening his flagship restaurant, Sticky Walnut - set in a row of terrace houses in Hoole on the outskirts of Chester.
He turned his life around with a mission to bring exceptional food, that doesn’t cost the earth, to everyone - whoever you are.
And he went on to open five more award-winning restaurants throughout the North West - Burnt Truffle in Heswall, Hispi in Didsbury, Wreckfish in Liverpool, Pinion in Prescot and Kala in Manchester.
In the past, Mr Usher has raised almost half a million pounds through crowdfunding, and was earlier this year shortlisted for the coveted Best Restaurateur accolade at the GQ Food and Drink awards.
The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution will air on Channel 4 on September 19 at 10pm.
