Tim Zekki is chef patron of Duende restaurant in Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Tim first started to cook at his father’s restaurant in Cyprus, where he inherited a love of foraging, pickling and preserving from his grandmother.
He developed his skills in restaurants in London, and his love of fine ingredients led him to open and run two delis, in Isleworth and Twickenham, appearing on Gary Rhode’s Local Food Hero on UKTV. After a move to the Chilterns he ran pop up restaurants under the name Duende.
Moving to Somerset meant a chance to settle into a permanent place, where Duende was recognised by Taste of The West, and won Somerset Life’s Best Restaurant in its first year.
Tim sources local, sustainable produce, and often includes wild ingredient in his tasting menus. He enjoys pushing the boundaries of food, such as the challenge of inventing a beef-based dessert course for Exmoor Food Fest’s celebration of beef. He’s been a semi-finalist in the Craft Guild of Chef’s National Chef of the Year in 2020, ‘21 and ‘22.
Tim cooks tasting menus in people’s homes for private events and is currently a regular chef for events at William Sitwell’s Supper Clubs.
Exmoor Food Fest:
Chef Tim Zekki is creating a menu for Valentine’s celebration at Duende.
There will be two dates, one on Tuesday February 14th and the other on Saturday 18th February. We know not everyone can celebrate on a school night!
We’ll welcome you with a complimentary glass of bubbly, and there will be a 5 course tasting menu, which will be kept secret until the night as usual, so we’d need to know any allergies and dietary issues when you book.
Places will be very limited. The 5 course tasting menu is £95 per person, and there will be an optional matching wine flight available at £40 per person.
Email bookings@duenderestaurant.co.uk to reserve your table.
Links: Email booking@duenderestaurant.co.uk
Website: duenderestaurant.co.uk
Facebook: DuendeSomerset
Instagram: duende_somerset
Exmoor Food Fest 