New executive chef joins The Venus Company

The Venus Company is delighted to announce Barry George as the new executive chef for their two cafés at Blackpool Sands and The Shops at Dartington. Barry, who has over 23 years’ catering experience, joins The Venus Company from the Hive Beach Café in Dorset.

From Friday 1st July, Barry will be implementing exciting new changes to The Venus Café at Blackpool Sands’ evening dining offering.

On his appointment, Barry says: “I am thrilled to be joining The Venus Company. I have always admired their passion for sourcing outstanding, local, sustainable produce and am really looking forward to working with such a forward-thinking organisation."

Barry will also be responsible for the menu at The Venus Company’s café at The Shops at Dartington. Open during the evenings of July and August, the café at Blackpool Sands will now, under Barry’s guidance, be offering informal counter-service dining from 8.30am – 10.00pm.

Commenting on the changes Michael Smith, co-owner of The Venus Company, says: “Our aim through the new format is to ensure all our customers can continue to enjoy our relaxed beach café atmosphere throughout the evening. Now, more than ever, our visitors will be able to feel like they can come for dinner straight from the beach.” Reservations will only be taken for parties of seven or more.

Launching on Friday 1st July, in addition to the revised dining format, is the new evening menu. Reflecting both Barry’s enthusiasm for sourcing ingredients from local producers and The Venus Company’s commitment to operating in an ethical and sustainable manner, the menu is bursting with tempting seasonal dishes. Mouth-watering dishes include dressed and handpicked Salcombe crab, grilled Start Bay lobster, South Devon crab bisqué as well as non-seafood delights such as grass-fed 28 day aged Devon sirloin steak, Venus’ homemade tofu burger and freshly made sweat treats and local ice creams from Salcombe Dairy.

There will also be regularly changing specials. The Venus Company began life at Blackpool Sands and has kept beachgoers fed and watered with delicious food and drink for 21 years.

They serve locally sourced, tasty food with minimum impact on the environment and an emphasis on sustainability. They have six sites across the West Country including Blackpool Sands, East Portlemouth, Bigbury on Sea, Tolcarne, Watergate Bay and their only inland café at The Shops at Dartington.

The Venus Company’s philosophy is best summed up by the phrase ‘Loving the Beach’. They even use it in their web address.

They have twice won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development (in 2010 and 2005). One of only ten companies throughout the UK to have been awarded a sustainability honour in 2010 and one of only eight companies to have achieved the award in 2005.

For further information about The Venus Company please visit www.lovingthebeach.co.uk.