The award-winning Amelia’s restaurant at Cofton Holidays in Starcross has welcomed an exciting new Executive Chef who promises to bring his experience working at Michelin-starred restaurants and with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall to this hidden gem loved by foodies.
Renowned chef Richard King has represented the UK at an international level multiple times at the “Restaurant of The Future” competition in Lausanne, Switzerland and at a Tapas competition in Spain. It was whilst living and working in La Rioja that he worked at a two Michelin-starred restaurant, learning how to create gourmet dishes of the highest quality. Upon moving back to the UK, Richard joined the kitchen at River Cottage in Axminster, creating phenomenal seasonal private banquets and teaching at the cookery school there.
Richard joins the team at Amelia’s at Cofton Holidays just in time to plan a fresh seasonal menu for 2024. With a focus on local ingredients, Richard has created a new menu that makes the most of produce grown around the South West and is bountiful in Spring. Dishes at Amelia’s are created using produce from local suppliers, getting the very freshest and finest ingredients with the lowest food miles possible. These local food heroes include;
Forest Fungi in Dawlish Warren
Goosemoore in Topsham
Kingfisher Fishmongers in Brixham
Williams Potatoes in Starcross
Ryder’s Bakery in Dawlish
Panino Bakery in Newton Abbott
Salcombe Brewery
The new Field To Fork menu launched at Amelia’s in January. Diners can enjoy signature dishes such as crispy pork belly cooked in Devon Red cider, Forest Fungi and truffle risotto, the seafood linguine with king prawns, smoked salmon and sea samphire or the Cofton Smash Burger which is a fresh spin on the Cofton classic.
Sharing his passion for food Executive Chef Richard King said;
“I started cooking with my Mum from a young age, and I’ve always loved it. You could say I’m a massive foodie! I grew up around my Dad’s allotments, picking fresh fruit and veg and turning it into something tasty to eat. I’ve carried that passion through my career so far, working in kitchens around Europe with some inspiring Chefs.
I’m thrilled to join the team at Amelia’s, I love the fact that we’re using seasonal ingredients and that everyone here is as enthusiastic about that as I am.
The new menu is really exciting, I can’t wait for diners to taste our new dishes. We have a lot more to come too, we’re planning BBQs on the balcony, paella on the patio… watch this space!”
Amelia’s Restaurant sits within the green surroundings of Cofton Holiday Park. Diners can visit the restaurant whether they are staying on-site or locals visiting for the day. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine, choose from a specially curated range of local gins or sample a Devon cider outside on the balcony on a sunny evening or opt for a cosy night in the Swan Pub next door.
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