Occasions - Blazing Donkey

RESTAURANT

new-bd-img

Bruce Wright, Executive Chef at
The Blazing Donkey

Born in New South Wales, Australia, Chef Bruce was raised in a family that loved cooking- and so his passion for the kitchen was born from an early age by watching, helping and learning alongside his mother. He went on to complete his hospitality management and culinary arts training down under before securing his first head chef position in Sydney – Bruce was still only in his mid-twenties.

It wasn’t long after this when as a proud recipient of Australia’s prestigious “Chefs Hat” award (equivalent to Michelin in Europe) Bruce upped sticks and moved to London where he would continue his exciting journey up the culinary ladder.

So wrote one critic from the Sydney Guardian at the time, “Mr Wright loads his dishes with more excitement than you will find in other restaurants that seem to be getting far more attention- his distinct cuisine will be missed as we learn he is leaving for London – without doubt a chef worth following”

BRUCE WRIGHT

As Bruce arrived in London, so did a new wave of restaurant openings and culinary excitement. In between positions held at many top level restaurants in London including a lengthy spell at Gordon Ramsay’s “Maze” Bruce took up various unpaid internships (stages) in order to expose himself to the latest cooking techniques and trends. Today he attributes much of his inspiration from those stages and the chefs from whom he learned so much.

Following a very successful run as head chef at a Michelin award winning restaurant-with-rooms in Richmond, Surrey Bruce was missing the coast. He now lives in the seaside town of Deal with his wife Sandra, who is Portuguese and daughter Mia.

No sooner had Bruce took up his post at The Blazing Donkey than the restaurant was awarded its first rosette under the AA’s restaurant award scheme.

BRUCE WRIGHT

Chef Bruce commented “I was delighted and excited in equal measure to find The Blazing Donkey and be able to put my name to it. Well known locally is its first class reputation as a destination wedding venue. Less well known though is its restaurant. That’s why I am here. No longer is The Blazing Donkey just a great wedding venue. I have a magical team to work with here and we are already well on the way to putting this special place firmly on Kent’s culinary map”.

Discover exciting, modern British food at Bruce Wright at The Blazing Donkey. Bruce’ personally curated menus are inspired by entirely British produce the majority of which is found very locally from the finest of producers and suppliers. Choose from his daily changing “Table d’hote” (from a la carte) and “I’ll leave it up to you”- 5 course tasting (from 15 mile menu).

WINNER OF COVETED AA ROSETTE

Quite simply creating a place where you come and enjoy great AA Rosette award wnning food and drink in relaxing and comfortable surroundings is and always has been our aim. Scrub-top tables, flagstone and wooden floors provide a relaxed and convivial environment for dining in the casual bar and barn dining room areas while our gardens and terrace are perfect for alfresco dining and drinking in the warmer months.

Alfresco Dining

WINNER OF COVETED AA ROSETTE

Quite simply creating a place where you come and enjoy great AA Rosette award wnning food and drink in relaxing and comfortable surroundings is and always has been our aim. Scrub-top tables, flagstone and wooden floors provide a relaxed and convivial environment for dining in the casual bar and barn dining room areas while our gardens and terrace are perfect for alfresco dining and drinking in the warmer months.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD

Table d’hote

Table d’hote

Our A La Carte menu contains winning local British dishes from fish and seafood from the Kent coast to Kent Lamb and locally sourced rib-eye steak and pork belly.

Sunday Roast Menu

Sunday Roast Menu

The Blazing Donkey is well known for providing one of the best traditional roasts Kent has to offer. We serve our Sunday lunches in style and our beers and wine complement perfectly.

Afternoon Tea Menu

Afternoon Tea Menu

Join us in the relaxing surroundings of our lounge bar or restaurant for a local Kent Afternoon Tea. It includes finely cut sandwiches together with freshly baked scones.

Wine Menu

Wine Menu

Our wine list complements our food perfectly and consists of a range of beautiful red white and rose dinner accompaniments in addition to after dinner tipples.

LOCAL FOOD & DRINK

LOCAL FOOD & DRINK


It really is all about the food for us…we don’t count how many calories are in a dish but we will spend a lot of time trying to get the best out of the ingredients. For head chef and his team, it’s all about creating dishes that put a smile on your face served by a team with a smile on theirs! Unfussy, clean & simple dishes all prepared entirely from fresh local produce is what you may expect. We claim boldly that our restaurant provides truly fantastic food, cooked exceptionally well. In addition to baking all our own breads, making our own jams and ice creams, our kitchen team source virtually all their ingredients locally.

GREAT BRITISH MENUS

GREAT BRITISH MENUS


At The Blazing Donkey, scrub-top tables, flagstones and wooden floors provide a relaxed and convivial environment for dining in the casual bar and barn dining room areas. Our gardens and terrace are perfect for Summer alfresco dining too. While the environment is special, It is all about the food with us. We spend a lot of time finding the best UK ingredients and creating unfussy, clean & simple dishes. Everything is prepared entirely from fresh local East Kent produce. Our restaurants and bar provide hearty food, cooked exceptionally well and priced affordably. We are careful to be able to accommodate most dietary requirements too including providing vegetarian and vegan choices.

Looking To Host An Event With Us?

Looking To Host An Event With Us?


Events are our specialty at The Blazing Donkey. We make event planning easy with our very own dedicated event planner. Whether you are planning an intimate dinner, a celebration, a sophisticated cocktail party, or even a product launch, The Blazing Donkey has a variety of private event dining and entertainment spaces all of which provide a fabulous setting. And there's plenty of onsite accommodation available for after the party!

OUR AMAZING SPACES

CHOOSE FROM OUR BEAUTIFUL BARN DINING ROOM, LOUNGE BAR OR GARDEN TERRACE.

Resturant

RESTAURANT

It’s all about the food…We don’t count how many calories are in a dish but we will spend a lot of time trying to get the best out of the ingredients.

bar-pub

BAR & PUB

A characterful space for you to enjoy a drink from our bar before you make your way to dine. In the Winter enjoy the fireplaces and in the Summer...

ALFRESCO DINING

Our raised terrace overlooking the beautiful gardens is available for private hire and is perfect for drinks parties and gatherings- its position means…

CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS

Event planning is made easy at The Blazing Donkey as we have our very own dedicated event planner. Whether you are planning an intimate dinner or a sophisticated cocktail party or even a product launch, The Blazing Donkey has a variety of private event dining and entertainment spaces all of which provide a fabulous setting. A bespoke event planning service is offered including menu design and planning. We are used to working to strict budgets as well as hosting lavish events such as Summer Balls, Proms and Dinner & Dances. Private meeting rooms are also available for half and full day hire from 2 to 200 delegates.

celeberation-of-life

Celebrations Of Life

The Blazing Donkey has been at the heart of the community for over 50 years, making it an ideal venue for memorial events such as funeral receptions wakes, farewell parties or a celebration of life.

Occasions

Private Dining

If you would like a private dining experience in Kent then why not hold it at The Blazing Donkey. Our restaurant can be hired along with the bar for a complete event.

bday-img

BIRTHDAYS

If you are planning a Birthday party in Kent then why not hold it at The Blazing Donkey. Whether its a 1st birthday or 100th why not leave it to us to arrange a memorable day.

Anniversary

ANNIVERSARIES &
ENGAGEMENTS

If you're planning an anniversary or engagement party, our range of different spaces make the Blazing Donkey a perfect engagement venue in Kent or place for an anniversary party in Kent.

CORPORATE
EVENTS

The Blazing Donkey is a regular home-from-home to many business travel guests. We are very conveniently located being very proximate to the expanding Discovery Park in Sandwich, to Dover, Canterbury and Thanet. The hotel, although set peacefully in the countryside is served and connected well by the road system and is less than two minutes from the main A256 trunk road connecting Dover to Sandwich & Thanet.

CHRISTMAS-PARTIES-food

CORPORATE EVENTS

The Blazing Donkey is a regular home-from-home to many business travel guests. We are very conveniently located being very proximate to the expanding Discovery Park in Sandwich, to Dover, Canterbury and Thanet. The hotel, although set peacefully in the countryside is served and connected well by the road system and is less than two minutes from the main A256 trunk road connecting Dover to Sandwich & Thanet.

PROMS

Have you booked your Prom event yet? If not, then please take the time to peruse what we to offer at The Blazing Donkey.