Cheshire


<p>Just when we thought we couldn&#8217;t love Knutsford more, acclaimed chef Aiden Byrne lands in the town with his new cooking venture <a href="https://www.lilyrestaurant.co.uk">LI~LY Restaurant</a>. This is a man who earned a Michelin star at the grand ole age of 22, whipped up a culinary frenzy at Manchester House and earned legions of fans whilst helming the kitchen at The Church Green in Lymm. Which is exactly why you should hotfoot it to LI~LY to discover his beautiful seasonally led dishes in a spruced up space on King Street. Here chef Aiden reveals all&#8230;</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-your-first-ever-kitchen-job-wa-s">&nbsp;<strong>Your first ever kitchen job wa<em>s…</em></strong></h2>



<p>1990 at The Stanneylands Hotel, a country house hotel in Wilmslow with a restaurant and event space, working under the infamous chef Iain Donald. I would travel from Kirkby to Wilmslow every weekend and holiday, and work for free just to get the experience and chance to work under the acclaimed chef. I was eager to learn absolutely everything I could.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-career-highlight-to-date-and-why-nbsp-nbsp">Career highlight to date and why?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Being recognised at the age of 22 and earning a Michelin star (the youngest chef in the country at Adlards in Norwich) is definitely up there. Other big highlights include our AA Restaurant of the Year award for The Church Green in in 2012, and whilst Chef Director for the iconic Manchester House in Manchester we were recognised and awarded four rosettes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-describe-your-cooking-style-nbsp-and-what-can-diners-expect-at-your-restaurant-nbsp">Describe your cooking style?&nbsp;And what can diners expect at your restaurant?<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></h2>



<p>I&#8217;m a firm believer about keeping dishes elegant. They should be simple but packed with flavour, using the best seasonal ingredients from as many local and regional suppliers as possible. I always stay true to the classic flavour combinations. At LI~LY, Sarah and I believe that exceptional service is as important as exquisite food, and our passion for hospitality shines through everything we do. Our focus is on creating a welcoming, intimate space where guests feel like they are part of something unique.&nbsp;Every month, we craft a seasonal six-course set lunch and nine-course set dinner monthly menu inspired by the freshest ingredients from trusted local suppliers. By focusing on locally grown produce and regional specialties, we celebrate our community while reducing food miles. To complement the dining experience, we offer a meticulously curated selection of around 30 exceptional wines, showcasing both renowned vineyards and rare vintages from the world&#8217;s finest wine regions. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/12/LILY-RESTURANT-NJP06361-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1410" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/12/LILY-RESTURANT-NJP06361-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/12/LILY-RESTURANT-NJP06361-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/12/LILY-RESTURANT-NJP06361-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/12/LILY-RESTURANT-NJP06361-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/12/LILY-RESTURANT-NJP06361-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-memorable-moment-at-work-and-why-nbsp">Most memorable moment at work and why?<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></h2>



<p>This has to be one the biggest impact on me and therefore memorable but sadly this was learning the day that Tim Bacon the hospitality pioneer of Living Ventures and a personal friend passing away in 2016.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biggest-mistake-you-ve-ever-made-in-the-kitchen-nbsp-nbsp">Biggest mistake you’ve ever made in the kitchen?&nbsp;<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></h2>



<p>One of the biggest learning curves for me was leaving a brat pan on in Tom Aikens&#8217; kitchen overnight after it had only been open for two months. The pan burnt dry and we had to close the next day for service because of the smell.&nbsp;A lesson I will not forget or repeat in a hurry.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dish-you-are-most-proud-of-creating-and-why-nbsp">The dish you are most proud of creating and why?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>White chocolate and truffle risotto with roasted scallops.&nbsp;&nbsp;This was many years ago whilst working at Danesfield House. Heston Blumenthal&nbsp;came in for dinner and told me to never take it off the menu. As a young chef, I was star struck.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/LI-LY-RESTUARANT-BY-AIDEN-BYRNE-NJP06721-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/LI-LY-RESTUARANT-BY-AIDEN-BYRNE-NJP06721-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/LI-LY-RESTUARANT-BY-AIDEN-BYRNE-NJP06721-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/LI-LY-RESTUARANT-BY-AIDEN-BYRNE-NJP06721-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/LI-LY-RESTUARANT-BY-AIDEN-BYRNE-NJP06721-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/LI-LY-RESTUARANT-BY-AIDEN-BYRNE-NJP06721-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-have-you-cooked-for-an-y-celebs-nbsp"><strong>Have you cooked for an</strong>y celebs?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Too many to mention, but most recently we had the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson come to the opening of our little restaurant LI~LY in Knutsford.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-chef-and-why">Favourite chef and why?</h2>



<p>Eneko Atxa from Azurmendi&nbsp;. The only chef who has ever made me cry whilst eating his food. I was actually that emotional.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-tired-and-hungry-what-s-your-go-to-for-an-easy-dinner-nbsp-nbsp">You’re tired and hungry &#8211; what’s your go-to for an easy dinner?&nbsp;<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></h2>



<p>I don&#8217;t cook at home &#8211; my wife Sarah does.&nbsp;&nbsp;I&#8217;m very fortunate that she actually loves to do it.&nbsp;&nbsp;But I do love a pork pie from the fridge.&nbsp;&nbsp;A snickers is my other guilty food pleasure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fave-place-to-go-locally-for-dinner-and-why-nbsp">Fave place to go locally for dinner and why?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I don&#8217;t actually have a favourite place, but on a day off we try and visit other businesses to continue to be inspired and keep our own business fresh. But for a relaxing family meal we enjoy Chinatown in Manchester and for a special occasion , Sarah and I go to eat with Lisa Allen at Northcote Manor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fave-kitchen-gadget-nbsp">Fave kitchen gadget?<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></h2>



<p>Most definitely the Thermo Mix &#8211; it&#8217;s like a superhero of the kitchen. It literally blends, weighs and cooks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-your-best-ever-cooking-tip-nbsp"><strong>Tell us your best ever cooking tip?&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>My best ever cooking tip is quite boring really. I cannot emphasise the importance of preparation beforehand. Without preparation and organisation, you have complete chaos.&nbsp;</p>



<p></p>


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What’s cooking? Aiden Byrne of LI~LY Restaurant, Knutsford

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