BIO
With experience leading kitchens across Canada, Barbados and Hong Kong, Chef and Co-Owner Kevin Shawcross brings a broad, globally layered perspective to AYLA Upstairs. His cooking reflects a fluent command of French, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asian cuisines, united by bold flavour, refined technique and a strong ingredient-first philosophy.
Kevin’s style is shaped by a deep respect for soulful comfort cooking and the belief that food should feel both exciting and familiar. Drawing on global influences and a strong sustainability ethos, his dishes balance richness, restraint and a natural instinct for hospitality. Since AYLA opened, his work has been widely celebrated in Toronto, with the restaurant named one of Toronto Life’s Best New Restaurants of 2025 and featured in Taste Toronto, Toronto Star, The Kit and Foodism.
