Sueco duo impresses Ivy chef

LEADING chef Alan Bird from The Ivy Restaurant in London has passed on his top tips to two Guernsey chefs.

And one of them, 18-year-old Kirsty Loveridge, will have the chance this summer to cook with him in the popular London establishment.

The executive head chef was in the island to prepare and cook at a dinner party for a local resident who won a prize in a charity auction for the Variety Club.

Mr Bird, who devised the menu, which included minted pea soup with crumbled goats cheese and mint relish for starter and fillet of Guernsey beef with a Madeira sauce for mains, then approached the winner of the prize to recommend an assistant to help him.

As a result Sueco's head chef Stuart Anderson was chosen. Mr Anderson himself then chose Sueco chef de partie Miss Loveridge, pictured, to accompany him.

Mr Bird was so impressed with the standard of the 18-year-old's work that he offered her the opportunity of a work experience placement at the Ivy in the summer.

'The night was amazing,' said Miss Loveridge. 'I learnt a huge amount and Alan was an inspiration. The thought of going to the Ivy is mind-blowing. I am nervous, scared and excited all in one - I can't wait.'