Two Birds Kitchen crowned 'best newcomer' in Devon Life Food & Drink Awards 2014
Two Birds Kitchen has won the prestigious Best Newcomer category at the Devon Life Food & Drink Awards 2014.
“We are so proud of our achievement,” said owner, Emma Tay.
“We are a family business passionate about cooking and serving fresh, local, organic food which tastes fantastic! This award recognises our achievements in striving to deliver food on the go which is delicious, healthy and homemade, using the best quality, local, seasonal ingredients all served from our pop-up kitchen caravan.”
Two Birds Kitchen is about to build on its success with a hot new business venture firing up in March 2015 – a wood fired pizza oven housed in another wonderful vintage conversion.
This achievement is made all the more special as almost exactly two years ago Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after being made redundant.
In 2012 Emma decided to follow her heart and passion for all things food related and signed up for the Ashburton Cookery School Diploma. The course gave her the encouragement and confidence to make plans for starting her own café.
Emma sold her house to raise the funds to purchase premises in Teignmouth from which to set up her dream business. However, at the ninth hour, the sale fell through.
She moved into her new house to start renovations but three months later, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She was supported by a friend who was a nutritional therapist during this period of treatment and recuperation.
“I had always eaten well and healthily but this gave me an opportunity to think even more about foods that harm, and foods that heal,” said Emma.
“I started to think about an idea of pop up food which was healthy and delicious, and the concept of Two Birds Kitchen was born.”
Not one to procrastinate, Emma bid on Ebay for a caravan in March 2013, won the bid and set about getting it renovated. Five months later and Two Birds Kitchen was in business.
The business is dedicated to serving homemade food, which is organic wherever possible, and only serves organic drinks. “We make everything from organic rolls, to crab tarts and homity pies, and delicious cakes and bakes,” said Emma. “Coffee, tea and dried goods are brought from a trading collective and we use biodegradable and compostable cups, plates and cutlery.”
Emma and her family have taken Two Birds Kitchen all over Devon appearing at farmers markets, festivals and county shows, and they are increasingly being asked to cater at weddings and private parties.
