BRINGING THE BRAAI TO MENORCA

Denada is a brand-new Deli and Dining service brought to Menorca by Chef Rob Bell from South Africa and his partner Alex Johnstone. Rob trained as a chef in South Africa, working at a 5-Star hotel in Cape Town before running his own restaurant. He is passionate about locally produced sustainable food, and he is combining his experience of cooking on open fire BBQ’s with the local products and flavours of Menorca.

From intimate gatherings, to lavish weddings, Rob, Alex, and their team will deliver appetising feasts to your villa or boat for your family and friends. Rob is keen to emphasise that their speciality is not just nouveau food but natural food, not overly processed. Meals are delivered in large crockery dishes consisting of a main protein plate and large sharing plates of side salads and vegetables. For special events, Rob will come to cook the BBQ at your venue and he can offer a Paella/Fideua experience on site too. Denada’s first wedding is at Son Bonaventura for 55 guests.

Denada offers three main menus, a meat BBQ Experience, a fish BBQ Experience and a Paella Experience.

The BBQ menus are inspired by the Braai, a cultural institution in South Africa. Look out for:

• 1.3 kg T-bone cooked on the BBQ

• South African style boerewors (a very special sausage made with Menorcan beef)

• Crispy lamb chops

• Whipped feta with roasted carrots and chickpea stopped with a foraged fennel vinaigrette

In addition, there are delicious ready to eat or heat-&-eat meals available from the Deli. From snacks & wraps, to salads and spreads. These are ideal for beach or boat days, or social gatherings to enjoy in your own garden. For example

• Prawn and vegetable summer rolls

• Individual layered salad jars - empty onto your plate, add the dressing and enjoy

• A chicken, spinach and feta lasagne which is perfect for summer and can be made with regular or gluten free pasta!

• Osso Bucco cottage pie

• Lemon & herb whole roast chicken

• Rosemary & garlic roast potatoes or Paprika potato wedges

The food is being sourced from local sustainable producers whenever possible. Customers will need to order 24 hours in advance for delivery to their house, or they can collect from Denada’s kitchen in Fort de L’Eau, Mahon.

ROB AND ALEX’S STORY

Before arriving in Menorca in 2022, Rob and Alex were owners of a highly rated boutique guest farm, restaurant & wedding venue in South Africa. Passionate about locally produced sustainable food, Rob built up his own herd of cattle and spent five years nurturing his own large vegetable & herb garden to create true “farm to table” food experiences.

Having decided to leave South Africa, their first plan was to move to Andalucia, where they already owned a house near Nerja. However, having been introduced to Menorca by a friend, they realised that they were country people at heart. Menorca could offer them the climate and the focus on sustainability they were looking for. They searched for a house in the countryside to renovate and although they are not done with all the upgrades yet, they are settled in and ready to start their new business.

On the way back from South Africa they ‘stopped off’ in the UK with their 5 dogs and a cat. However, due to COVID the short visit turned into a stay of 2 years. Not ones to sit around, they put the time to good use, using their building and project management skills to buy, renovate and resell a house in Lincolnshire.

Alex says, “Denada was founded to offer our island visitors the convenience of great food to enjoy while out and about or relaxing at home. Our ethos is to source locally grown and crafted products (as much as we can) to create fresh, interesting, and delicious food experiences.”

Denada, 64 Av. Fort de L’Eau, Mahon, 07701. Tel or Whatsapp +34 722 23 99 80 email hola@denada.es

Collection times are between 9am and 5pm (out of hours by arrangement).

ALEX JOHNSTONE

Alex worked for many years in financial services before he and Rob decided to work together to create their first luxury guest farm experience. Building this from scratch, growing it into a successful business, they sold it in 2020

MIREIA PONS

Joining the team is Mireia Pons from Menorca. Mireia has 12 years experience in the hospitality industry, most recently working at Menorca Experimental. Her enthusiasm for languages and travel led her to living in London and touring France. Her passion and charisma for helping everyone enjoy the island make her a great addition to the team.

Ignacio Ojeda

Most of Ignacio’s life has been related to travelling and food. Originally from Argentina, he has worked in American, British and Irish kitchens, with nearly a decade living and cooking here on Menorca. Frequent culinary trips to France, the Balkans, Middle East and Asia has developed in him a huge interest in ethnic cuisines. He aims to bring joy to each dining experience, with a cosmopolitan point of view.