40 Years, One Legacy: David Cousins

Born and raised in Devon, David Cousins’ career in hospitality began working for the family fish and chip shop, restaurant and bakery. A passionate baker and people person, his future was clear and laid out in front of him until he became love struck at the age of 22 and turned his whole life around.The family restaurant sounds fairly normal, but as the waitress was married and this was half a century ago, it caused a big scandal. Deciding love would beat all, the couple eloped to the seaside village of Westward Ho! in North Devon, where David initially took on a job as a restaurant manager.

During the eighties, David saw the potential in a disused old jewellery shop 150 metres from the sea and together the happy couple
decided it was time to go their own way once again. Country Cousins Restaurant opened its doors in 1986 and celebrated its 40th birthday last April. Now 76 years old, David still runs the restaurant with the same vigour, enthusiasm and principles as when he started.

After 40 years I can honestly say I still love my job, says David:

“After 40 years I can honestly say I still love my job,” says David. “I actually retired a few years ago and leased out the business. It was a real struggle to adapt to doing nothing and when the new tenants couldn’t make it work, I didn’t hesitate in taking the reins again.”

The business employs around 16 staff members and serves around 150-200 covers a day. “It’s not like it used to be that’s for sure. We’d be doing 200-300 covers a day. Now it’s more like 150 midweek and 200 on a Sunday. The way people socialise and eat has changed and there is so much more competition now, plus the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to squeeze the pockets of consumers.”

With a friendly welcome, the finest customer service and excellent value, the restaurant focuses on traditional Devonshire home-cooked dishes made using locally sourced ingredients. “We have always stuck to what we know so I would say our menu
is very classical English. We offer great seafood as we have amazing produce on our doorstep, bountiful breakfasts, pies, burgers,
steaks, salads, ploughman’s, Devonshire cream teas and we also have an all-day carvery with seven veg, two types of potatoes and three meats on offer.”

“We use a wide selection of the Country Range products across our menu including the seasonings, sauces and key staple store cupboard ingredients. They never let us down.”

On the future, David has no plans to give it all up again. “I tried the retirement lark and that wasn’t for me. I will continue until I literally can’t do it anymore. I have two daughters who are my pride and joy so I am hoping one of them may continue the legacy.”