Melbourne restaurateur Kevin Donovan dies aged 68

Kevin Donovan, co-founder of the iconic restaurant Donovans on the St Kilda foreshore, has died aged 68.

Kevin Donovan, beloved owner of Melbourne restaurant Donovans, has died at 68. Picture: Tony Gough

Kevin Donovan, beloved founder of Melbourne restaurant Donovans, has died at 68.

One of St Kilda foreshore’s most renowned eateries, Donovans has stood its ground since 1997 and grew to become one of the city’s most loved restaurants.

Kevin and his wife Gail spent 26 years at the helm of Donovans, only recently handing the reins over to new owner Nick Parkhouse.

Kevin had been ill with an undiagnosed condition for several years that included aneurisms, Parkinson-like symptoms and reduced lung function, but it did not slow down the steady stream of hungry customers into Donovans.

Since its opening, more than 1.5 million people have enjoyed a meal at the restaurant – including more than 64,000 T-bone steaks served and more than 100,000 Bombe Alaskas set alight.

The couple had always dreamt of opening their own eatery and were acutely aware of their prime real estate on the beach.

Donovans is one of St Kilda foreshore’s most renowned eateries. Picture: David Geraghty

Speaking with the Herald Sun in 2018, Kevin and Gail said they met in 1986 when Kevin moved to Australia from the US to work at the newly-opened Grand Hyatt hotel.

He was the son of an English teacher who grew up in Connecticut, but had dreamt of opening a restaurant since he was 14.

“As the son of a teacher, it was never a question of if I went to college, it was a question of where, and to do what,” he said.

“My father wanted me to do a business degree but I had my heart set on hospitality.”

“Our menu is about what people want to eat — it’s for our guests, not the ego of a chef.”

Gail said the key to Donovans’ longevity was nailing the “one big happy family” feel, as it was the only way to retain both guests and staff.

“We really want people to feel at home here, like they’ve been invited to our home on the beach,” she said.

“People’s favourite restaurant is where they’re looked after so that’s what we try and do.

“We don’t always get it right but we try.”

Kevin said in 2018 neither he nor Gail were considering retirement.

“What would I do? I can’t play golf every day and I hate gardening,” he said.

“It’s like that old saying: do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

“This is what I love — I’m literally living my dream right now.”