Civil War escapee opens hit Mexican restaurant in Wirral

Piri Siri in Wirral has collected over 500 5 Star reviews since 2022.

A Nepalese civil war escapee has finally fulfilled his dream of owning his own restaurant and has done so with Piri Siri, a Mexican restaurant in Wirral.

Jeevan Kandel, 37, fled horrific war crimes and brutality in Nepal — going on to work at top restaurants in Dubai and London before settling in Moreton where his Mexican restaurant, Piri Siri, is receiving 5 star reviews.

Top chef Jeevan came to Wirral with his wife and two little girls in 2016, following an 8 year stint as Senior Chef at the highly acclaimed Dishoom in London. After a couple of chef roles locally, the opportunity arose to take over Fajitas at Moreton Cross — a Mexican restaurant that had failed due to a 0 Star hygiene rating.

Despite the previous bad reputation, Jeevan has turned the restaurant around — rebranding it as Piri Siri, achieving a 5 Star hygiene rating and collecting almost 500 5 Star reviews across all platforms within a year. Piri Siri is open 7 days a week and offers fun, colourful Mexican food from classics such as burritos, tacos and chimichangas to steaks and specials such as lamb chops, swordfish and seabass.

The success of Jeevan’s first restaurant and overcoming the odds is testament to his determination. Having fled his home country in 2001 during the brutal conflict in Nepal, he obtained a Diploma in Hotel Management and trained as a chef in India before going on to work at the likes of The Radisson in Dubai and top restaurants in London — whilst always carrying the dream of opening his own restaurant.

Jeevan said: 

“I had so many happy memories as a child in Nepal — I could see the Himalayas from my bedroom window and I’d play cricket. I used to help my mother cook using fresh herbs and spices and this is where I developed my passion for cooking. It was such a beautiful life until the civil war started whilst I was doing my GCSEs and they made me join the army at 15.”

He continued: 

“The Nepalese Civil War hasn’t been documented much in the West but it was as bad as war gets — my friends died, unspeakable things happened and there was a constant threat of death. I was one of the lucky ones who managed to escape to India and that experience made me realise that life is precious so I followed my passion of working with food — always dreaming of having my own restaurant.”

Jeevan plied his trade with top chefs internationally and mastered various cuisines — falling in love with Mexican food and using his knowledge of herbs and spices from back home to put his own unique twists on the dishes. After working in Dubai and then many years in London, he finally settled in Wirral and when Fajitas in Moreton became available fate took its hold and Piri Siri was born.

Jeevan said: 

“Moving to Wirral is the best thing that could have happened to me — my wife and kids love it here and we are now proper Wirralians. To have my own restaurant has always been my dream and when this came up in 2022 I jumped at the chance — I decided to call it Piri Siri after my daughters Pirity and Siristy. It has been a big gamble to take it on but the customer reviews make it all worth while!”

Jeevan’s work at the restaurant has not only seen a re-brand as Piri Siri but a rise for 0 star to 5 star food hygiene rating and an overwhelming amount of 5 star reviews. Offering great value, Mexican classics with a twist, intriguing specials and fun cocktails, Jeevan has worked wonders in his first year as an independent business owner.

Piri Siri is also opening on Christmas Day — with a very affordable set menu offer for families to enjoy Christmas Mexican style! The full 3 course menu will consist of their Mexican classic dishes with a Christmas twist at the £16.95 per child and £39.95 per adult.

Jeevan added: 

“It’s been a big task and a big risk taking on this restaurant, especially in the climate with energy bills and the cost of living, but after what I experienced in Nepal I feel like anything is possible. If you stay strong, work hard and follow your dreams you can achieve anything. I would like to say a big thank you to the people of Wirral for the welcome my family has received and for believing in me.”

Jeevan owns Piri Siri Mexican restaurant, located at 223 Hoylake Road in Moreton, and has re-branded and transformed the former Fajitas restaurant since taking over in October 2022.

For more on restaurants in Wirral click HERE.