The new restaurants in Dartmouth
aS aN INCrEaSINGLy PoPuLar FOOD DESTINATION, DARTMOUTH’S rESTauraNTS HaVE DEVELoPED aN arMy oF FaNS BoTH LoCaLLy aND NaTIoNaLLy.
BY THE DART SPOKE TO TWO OF THE MOST RECENT - ‘TWENTYSIX’ IN LowEr STrEET aND ‘SAILS’ ON THE SOUTH EMBANKMENT
the opportunity came to work in a kitchen,” she said. “I fell in love with French cuisine and even went to the cookery school run by the Ritz in Paris. I’ve learnt from the best and want to share my enthusiasm with everyone!”
A successful career followed over the next two decades and Denise became a well-respected chef. She then came to work for famous
property tycoon Peter de Savary, setting up his new kitchen at the Cary Arms in Babbacombe in 2009, designing the menus for the ‘boutique’ hotel and restaurant.
“I was looking for somewhere to invest my money and who better to invest in than Denise?”
Twentysix Denise Tarriela and Richard Hunter
of Dartmouth’s newest café and bistro, “twentysix” in Lower Street, look relaxed and happy as we sit down to chat.
A more interesting couple you could not hope to meet. They talk quite happily about opening the business, which is their second under the “twen- tysix” name, following the successful launch of one in Teignmouth in 2010. Denise was born and bred in the Philippines and found her love of food early in life, working in the kitchen with her grandmother, learning the invaluable lesson that food was some- thing social and fun.
“My earliest memories are of us sitting around the table eating great food as a family,” said Denise. “I grew up surrounded by good food, with a lot of influences from different parts of the world.”
Denise studied in Hospitality Management at university, but took a chance to get involved in the business end of the restaurant business and has not looked back since.
“I was looking for something and
The entrepreneur was so impressed with Denise’s inspirational work at the Cary Arms he asked her to take on the same role at his new venture: Vanderbilt Hall, Rhode Island, USA. Following this amazing experience Denise felt she had the confidence and desire to set up a eatery on her own. Richard, her fiancé, invested his savings in the venture and has not regretted it.
“I was looking for somewhere to invest my money and who better to invest in than Denise?” said the former English teacher, who also helps with the design and décor of the restaurants. “It was the perfect time for Denise to do this she has really spread her wings and flown. Both the bistros are a perfect expression of her philosophy; fantastic food in comfort- able surroundings.”
“After working with PDS I felt I had the skills and the confidence to do it myself,” smiles Denise. “We want people to feel totally comfortable - like they are popping in to have din- ner with friends. We want the food to be exceptional, and to be something anyone would enjoy.” The pair are looking forward to their first Dartmouth Food Festival. “It’s clearly an exceptional event,”
said Denise. “And we are looking forward to the buzz it’s going to give the town. Dartmouth has a great reputation for good food and we are delighted to be part of it!”
Sails Wendy Jones and Dougie Hawkins of Sails Restaurant are looking for- ward to The Food Festival, which last year came as something of a pleasant surprise.
“We had not been in the town long when it happened,” said Wendy, a Paignton girl, trained at the Rainbow House Hotel in Torbay, who found suc- cess at some of London’s best eateries before moving back to the South West with partner Dougie to take on Sails above the Dartmouth Yacht Club. “We walked out and were so surprised at what a fantastic and big event it was. Now we are looking forward to how it will affect the town and bring people to see what a fantastic place this is for the best food in the South West.”
The couple have been busy in the past year, bringing their fun, acces- sible and imaginative menu to an army of fans. Using Mediterranean influences and making full use of the boundless resources offered by the sea for great fish and shellfish, they pride them- selves on a top quality offering to fit in comfortably with Dartmouth’s ‘food paradise’ reputation. “We are pleased with our menus and how they have been received,” said Dougie.
Please mention By The Dart when responding to adverts. To advertise here, please call 01803 835740 or email
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