A MAN who fled the horrors and brutality of civil war in Nepal has fulfilled his dream of owning his own restaurant by opening one in Wirral.

Having fled his native country in 2001, Jeevan Kendal, who owns Piri Siri in Moreton, 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.

The 37-year-old came to Wirral with his wife and two little girls in 2016, after an eight-year stint as senior chef at the highly acclaimed Dishoom in London.

Wirral Globe: Jeevan Kendal, owner of Piri Siri in Moreton Jeevan Kendal, owner of Piri Siri in Moreton (Image: Justin Hopper)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.

Jeevan said: "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!”

Wirral Globe: Jeevan Kendal, owner of Piri Siri in Moreton, in his workplace Jeevan Kendal, owner of Piri Siri in Moreton, in his workplace (Image: Justin Hopper)Piri Siri is open seven 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.

Jeevan puts the success of his first restaurant and overcoming the odds down to determination.

Recalling life in Nepal and the circumstances that led to relocating to the UK, he 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.

Wirral Globe: Sample of the culinary delights on offer at Piri SiriSample of the culinary delights on offer at Piri Siri (Image: Justin Hopper)"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.

"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.

Wirral Globe: Sample of the culinary delights on offer at Piri Siri Sample of the culinary delights on offer at Piri Siri (Image: Justin Hopper)"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.

Wirral Globe: Sample of the culinary delights on offer at Piri Siri Sample of the culinary delights on offer at Piri Siri (Image: Justin Hopper)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.

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 five star reviews.

Piri Siri promises 'great value, Mexican classics with a twist, intriguing specials and fun cocktails'.

Wirral Globe: Jeevan Kendal, owner of Piri Siri in Moreton, in his workplace Jeevan Kendal, owner of Piri Siri in Moreton, in his workplace (Image: Justin Hopper)Piri Siri is also opening on Christmas Day — with what Jeevan described as 'a very affordable set menu offer for families to enjoy Christmas Mexican style'.

Jeevan summarised: "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."

Wirral Globe: Diners at Piri Siri in MoretonDiners at Piri Siri in Moreton (Image: Justin Hopper)