Gold award is fifth in a row for Donkey Sanctuary restaurant

The Donkey Sanctuary’s on-site restaurant ‘The Kitchen’ has been awarded a Taste of the West Gold Award for the fifth year in succession.

The venue at the sanctuary in Sidmouth picked up the Gold Award in the South West Café/Tearoom category, in the 2023 Taste of the West Awards.

The Kitchen prides itself on serving up fresh, local, seasonal produce daily, and is the perfect place to take sanctuary and soak in views of the Jurassic Coast and the sparkling sea beyond. Diners are also safe in the knowledge that every purchase helps the charity support donkeys and mules in need.

Lisa Keech, Front of House Manager at The Kitchen restaurant said: “Winning the Taste of West award for another year has been such an achievement for me and everyone here at The Donkey Sanctuary. A fitting reward for all the hard work we have put in.

“As a team we regularly pool ideas for new recipes to include fresh, in season and local dishes on our menus, take part in taste testing and give feedback to the chefs.

“We are honoured as a team to hold the gold spot again, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent customer service and working alongside great local suppliers to bring our customers a delicious locally sourced menu.”

A spokesperson for Taste of the West said: “The Kitchen at The Donkey Sanctuary is a wonderful place for lunch. We will definitely return and perhaps try to get there earlier to try one of their breakfasts!”

Taste of the West has been championing food and drink producers and venues across the South West since 1991, and its annual awards scheme ensures that high standards are maintained.

Later this year, The Kitchen will once again feature as part of the Taste East Devon 2023 Food Festival. The 16-day event, held from 9 to 24 September, celebrates the incredible food and drink on offer across the region and includes award-winning venues, producers, restaurants and chefs from around East Devon.

Sowing with Donkeys takes place on Monday 18 September, between 3pm and 6pm, and includes a stroll around the heart of the Sidmouth sanctuary with one of the charity’s conservation team, followed by afternoon tea in The Kitchen.

The Kitchen is open daily from 9am - 5pm. Breakfast is served from 9am - 11am and lunch from 11.30am - 3pm, Monday to Saturday. Drinks snacks and cakes are available all day, every day. 

For more information, please visit The Donkey Sanctuary’s website: https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/sidmouth/eat-here/the-kitchen