A Macclesfield resident has won an award for his new poetry book.
Chef Kenny Wilson, who grew up on Upton Priory and now lives in Hurdsfield, released a collection of poems based on his decades of experience cooking in top restaurants.
And now, he has cooked up awards for his new book.
The Devil Wears A Kitchen Apron has won two awards in the MPS Publications Awards.
Award organisers praised the book for showing ‘an interesting perspective on society’.
My book The Devil Wears A Kitchen Apron has won two awards in the MPS Publications Awards,” said Kenny.
“I was up against some serious competition with some professional writers nominated. S
“o I made it to the final and I won bronze in non fiction plus I won a readers award, finishing 4th overall.”
The awards were a mixture of public and judges vote, which makes his success all the more commendable.
Kenny currently works at Heaton House Farm and The Knot Inn, near Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield.
And indeed, his book has been praised for being appealing to both chefs, and those who have no involvement within the catering trade.
The book is a rollercoaster of emotions, going from kitchen humour, to the impact working such long hours in the trade can have on personal relationships.
Kenny had never penned a poem, until he came up with one on a run on the Macclesfield canal, after a gruelling shift.
And with a little help from his friends, he has now produced a top-selling and now award winning short poetry book.
Click the red link at the bottom of this article to buy Kenny’s book.
The grateful chef had countless people to thank, when pressed by Macclesfield Nub News.
“When it came to me finding help with my book I found it right here in Macclesfield,” he said.
“I reached out for help on THE ORIGINAL MACC CHAT Facebook group and found Kate Wilson [no relation to Kenny].
“Kate is an English teacher that helped me with grammar and layout.
Kenny Wilson has released his debut book, which are a collection of poems based on his career as a chef. (Image – Macclesfield Nub News)
“Meanwhile, author Slyva Frae who has published over 20 books and helped me with formatting my book for Amazon and Kindle. She has also helped me with the pit falls of publishing. I would also like to thank Keira Freel with the social media marketing, and Danae Mayo [of Macclesfield tourist attraction The Viking Axe] for the cover.
“Everyone from Macclesfield are all so supportive.”
Kenny now hopes to get places in Macclesfield to stock the book.
It currently costs £7.99 on Amazon for a physical copy, or just £3.99 on Kindle. Click HERE to purchase.
The book has a five-star rating, with one reviewer calling it a ‘must-read’, praising the language as ‘both lyrical and raw, balancing poetic elegance with the gritty reality of culinary work’.
Another compared the street poet to John Cooper Clarke.
You can watch a video interview with Kenny by clicking HERE.
You can read the previous Nub News article on Kenny’s book by clicking HERE.
