The International Gastronomy Star Awards recognised Liverpool Masterchef Kemal Coskuncay as one of the world’s best chefs with a prestigious Gastronomy Star Award. Based at Halewood’s five-star rated Casa Rima, the talented Turkish chef also took home Chef of the Year at the British Kebab Awards in 2023.
The most recent award was given to Kemal in his own country on May 25 at the renowned International Gastronomy Star Awards, which are held in Gaziantep, the culinary hub of Turkey. In association with UNESCO and The Gastronomy Federation, the awards, which were attended by thousands of elite chefs worldwide, named Kemal a “Star Of Gastronomy” alongside some Guinness World Record breaking chefs.
Working his way up from dishwasher at Turkish resort restaurants to top chef at multi-award winning restaurants like Marrakesh in Leicester Square and winning the ‘Best Foreign Chef in London’ award, Masterchef Kemal has had a rapid rise to fame. Kemal, who has always supported Liverpool, arrived in the city in February 2020 to launch his consultancy, Private Delicacies.
Working with the likes of Al Dente on Lark Lane and now Casa Rima, the Halewood restaurant that has emerged as one of the best around since opening in 2023, Kemal has become a huge hit since moving to Liverpool. Combining with former Turkish Embassy private chef Ali Kavlak, the two have dazzled both locals and celebrities with their culinary creations.
Kemal said:
“It’s a great honour to receive another top award after winning Chef Of The Year at The British Kebab Awards last year. The Gastronomy Star Award is a big deal in my country — only 40 other Turkish chefs and only the best from other countries have won this award. Gaziantep is one of the gastronomy capitals of the world so to win it there in my home country is very special.”
“I must give a very special thank you to the people of Liverpool. I worked hard to make it in Turkey and then at top restaurants in London but Liverpool is where I have made my home. My family and I have fallen in love with the place and since moving here I have enjoyed great success, winning these recent awards. The people here are so friendly and this encourages me to do even better.”
Kemal, Ali Kavlak, and his team, now based at Casa Rima in Halewood, have quickly established the stylish new restaurant as one of the finest in the region. Open 7 days a week, Casa Rima offers a range of sublime starters, pizzas, pasta and specials such as steaks, lamb, duck, seabass and more. The lunch menu has been particularly popular, offering 2 courses for £16.95 Mon-Fri 12-4pm.
Kemal said:
“Casa Rima has been very popular amongst the people of Halewood, but also with celebrities and football players and as we’ve developed a reputation we’ve had people travel from far to visit us. I just love it here in South Liverpool and sometimes even walk to work through the countryside. It’s the people who really make it though — they are very special and we make sure every dish for them is incredible.”
For the menu or to book a table at Casa Rima you can visit the website here or call 0151 245 8599.
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