Stevie McCarry
Seafood expert Stevie might be a newcomer to the Great British Menu kitchen, but he is determined to do what it takes to get his full menu to the judges.
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Born and raised in Portstewart, self-taught Stevie spent 10 years honing his craft in kitchens across the North Coast, before heading to Coleraine to open his own restaurant with his wife, Rebekah.
When lockdowns forced restaurants to close, Lir hadn’t yet been opened so they quickly adapted, turning what is now their restaurant into a fish mongering business, selling fresh wild sustainable fish. This not only kept the business afloat, but helped forge a strong sense of community for both Stevie and Rebekah and the business, and garner the support of all the brilliant fish loving customers who came in to buy - and now fill the seats of - the restaurant
In 2023, Stevie’s dedication was recognised when he was awarded Best Chef in Ulster at the Food & Wine Awards. His cooking ethos centres on sustainability—making the most of every part of the fish, alongside locally sourced ingredients. With an innovative approach blending modern techniques and equipment with inspiration from traditional Irish recipes, Stevie has created an ever-evolving menu at Lir based on seasonality and the catch of the day from the local fishermen and the local suppliers.
Extremely proud to be representing Northern Ireland, Stevie’s menu pays tribute to remarkable local heroes, like Frank Pantridge, the pioneer of the portable defibrillator, using his dishes to tell their incredible stories.
