From tapas in a tipi, mezze in a marquee, to a tasting menu at home.
Duende started as a pop up restaurant in the Chilterns, then become a permanent restaurant in Somerset, where Chef Tim Zekki and Duende picked up several awards. Since the restaurant closed due to Covid lockdown, Duende has created 5 and 7 courses tasting menus and 3 course a la carte menus in people’s homes and holiday lettings.
With the tapas and mezze evenings there is no menu – so no tricky decisions to make. It’s a procession of both hot and cold little dishes with influences from all around the Med. As ever, vegetarians are well catered for.
Mezze and tapas events from £45 per head.
“The duende never repeats itself, any more than the waves of the sea do in a storm”. Lorca
Sample a la carte menu £65 per person
Sample seven course menu
About Duende Dining
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 and 2021.
During Lockdown Tim rose to the challenge of creating 5 course tasting menus for guests to put together at home. He also cooks tasting menus in people’s homes for private events. He is currently a regular chef for events at William Sitwell’s Supper Clubs.
What people say about Duende
“Just want to say what a great meal we had this evening. Each course was wonderful and the staff lovely. The hall looked so different and the atmosphere was so friendly and relaxed, I’m afraid that we probably outstayed our welcome!”
“I just wanted to congratulate you on such an enjoyable evening. I have already had emails from friends saying how much they loved it. The village hall didn’t even look like the village hall, and most importantly the food was excellent, and wonderful value for money.”
“Wow, what a fantastic night! Just wanted to thank everyone involved; it was obvious how much effort had gone into the enterprise and you should all be feeling very proud because you’ve nailed it!”
“I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff very much indeed for the quite spectacular meal. It was truly delicious, beautifully presented and extremely good value which meant that we could adequately reward your excellent serving staff on the night! We have been fortunate enough to have had lunch last year at Raymond Blanc’s manor and my wife commented after the meal at The Temperance Hall that it came a very close second. We very much look forward to ‘Le pop up’ returning soon!”
“Wow! Massive congratulations to the chef!! Explosions of wonderful flavours and the homemade chorizo was delicious...and the crab alioli was to die for”
“We ate last month at one of the tapas evenings. Many varied dishes with lovely fresh ingredients and delicious flavours throughout the evening. Great atmosphere, relaxed and friendly. Loved it!!”
“Wow. What a great night with delicious food. The ambiance was perfect and the food matched. Delicious. Well done. Highly recommend.”
