Down under trip means guest chefs for town pub

A kitchen takeover at The Volunteer Inn in Ottery St Mary will see three well-known guest chefs cooking up a storm during June and July.

Pub owners Mike and Jacqui Down are travelling to New Zealand to visit their rugby-playing son for six weeks. Haydon, who has played for Sidmouth Rugby, is on an extended visit to the country with Eden Rugby Club in Auckland.

With the pub now a popular choice for locals and visitors to the town, Mike and Jacqui invited the local chefs to take over the kitchen during their absence.

First up is Robin Rea from Rusty Pig. Robin is a familiar face in the town, and his ethical approach to food and the provenance of ingredients has garnered much praise. He is followed by private chef and TV personality, Tim Maddams who uses hunting, fishing and foraging as cornerstones of his cooking. Finally, consultant chef and private dining specialist, Joe Draper brings his preference for uncomplicated food with great flavours. All three are River Cottage alumni.

Jacqui, who is usually head cook at the pub, said: “While we have our own talented cook in Charlotte who will look after diners during the week, during weekends we decided it would be fun to let these gifted chefs loose in our kitchen.”

Stepping into the breach on the final weekend is Mike’s mum Jenny Down from the Howley Tavern in Chard. Full information on dates when the chefs are cooking is available on the pub’s website.

The Downs will return to Ottery St Mary on July 19.