LIVIA ALACRON is a shining light in the Liverpool restaurant scene. From being appointed head chef at Maray aged just 21 to doing her city proud on The Great British Menu to her first solo venture La Bistroteca and now as director and head chef at Chin-Zano, Livia’s career has seen success after success.
It was at The City of Liverpool College where Livia’s love of cooking was nurtured.
“I’d watch MasterChef when I was younger and know that I didn’t have to excel in academic subjects at school. It showed me I could do something more practical and less structured,” she says.
“The College had a great reputation for hospitality. Being in the city centre was great, and as part of the course they asked that we get a job in a restaurant too, so we could see what the real world was like.
“Some of the lecturers had worked with my grandfather Rod in previous hospitality roles, so it wasn’t like they were just reading from a sheet. They wanted to give something back.
“The course gave me space and pointed me in the right direction. I then had the desire to do it to push myself into the world,” she continues.
And Livia did, as she travelled around Europe with Jason Atherton for BBC2 programme Chefs’ Brigade before representing the North West on The Great British Menu.
Like the College’s staff, Livia also wants to give something back as she has helped younger aspiring chefs who have already done foundational learning get a more developed taste of hospitality life in her busy kitchens.
“It’s not for the faint hearted, but being able to showcase your art in food form means people remember your work!” she concludes.
