Head Chef at popular County Derry restaurant wins Great British Menu regional heat

Stevie McCarry, the visionary head chef and co-founder of County Derry restaurant Lir, has been crowned the regional winner for Northern Ireland on this year’s Great British Menu, securing a place in the prestigious UK final.

Competing against some of the most talented chefs in the country, Stevie showcased exceptional skill, creativity and a deep passion for innovative dishes that paid homage to local produce and the rich food heritage of Northern Ireland.

Stevie impressed the judges with a menu inspired by this year’s theme, which celebrated influential figures throughout history from the Northern Irish region.

Stevie’s starter was a tribute to La Girona, a ship from the Spanish Armada that sank off the coast of County Antrim.

His main course celebrated Isabella Tod, founder of the North of Ireland Women’s Suffrage Society, with ingredients sourced from female suppliers.

Stevie completed his menu with a nod to dramatist Brian Friel. His dessert, ‘Dancing at Lughnasa,’ featured a foraged bilberry tart in heritage grain pastry, served with peat-smoked honey ice cream and a honey-fermented bilberry sauce.

Speaking about the victory, Stevie said: “Winning the Northern Ireland heat means everything to me. Being a self-taught chef, I’ve always battled with imposter syndrome, and stepping into a competition of this level was daunting. On top of that, managing my type one diabetes in such a high-pressure environment added another layer of challenge. But I wanted to push myself, to prove that passion, hard work, and a deep love for food can take you far. I hope my journey inspires others facing their own battles to go for it, no matter the obstacles.”

Stevie’s win highlights Northern Ireland’s North Coast and its growing reputation as a food destination, celebrating the area’s world-class produce, from wild caught seafood to award-winning artisanal ingredients.

Lir Seafood, founded by Rebekah and Stevie McCarry, began as Native Seafood and Scran in January 2020.

Initially operating as a fishmonger during the pandemic, they delivered sustainably sourced wild Irish seafood directly to customers, using eco-friendly packaging. 

As restrictions eased, their menu evolved daily, inspired by the day's catch, featuring innovative dishes like Monkfish corn dogs, ling and langoustine ‘fish dogs’, squid shawarma and smoked dogfish sausage rolls. 

Their commitment to sustainability and community engagement led to accolades such as 'Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland' by the Slow Food Awards 2020. 

Relocating to 'The Pool' in Portstewart in 2021 before moving on to open their restaurant at Coleraine Marina, Lir has expanded to include a full fish counter, live events and tasting menus, earning multiple awards, including 'Best Seafood Restaurant in Ireland' by the Georgina Campbell 2022 awards, Best Chef in Ulster 2023 by Food and Wine, Best Restaurant in Derry 2024 and ‘Top New UK Restaurant’ by Conde Nast Traveller magazine 2024.