From Kitchen Table to Legacy: How Jill Donovan Is Redefining Hospitality in the Triangle

If you live in Raleigh, North Carolina, chances are Donovan’s Dish has already been part of your story. Maybe it showed up during a hectic season of life, a celebration, a meal train, or a quiet Tuesday night when cooking felt like too much. In Episode 82 of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Jill Donovan, the entrepreneur behind Donovan’s Dish, Jill’s Beach, and the stunning Donovan’s Manor in Fuquay-Varina, to talk about hospitality, resilience, legacy, and what it truly means to serve people well in Wake County and the greater Triangle area.

This conversation goes far beyond food. It is about building community, honoring loss, raising strong daughters, and creating experiences that make people feel seen and cared for from the moment they arrive.

Building a Hospitality Empire in Raleigh

Starting with Jill’s Beach

Jill’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 25 years old with the opening of Jill’s Beach, a tanning and lifestyle brand she launched with her mother while attending Meredith College. What started as a practical business idea quickly became a long-standing local staple. More than two decades later, Jill’s Beach remains part of the Raleigh landscape, a testament to longevity, trust, and strong leadership.

Jill credits much of that success to people. Many early hires are still with the business today, reinforcing a theme that shows up again and again throughout her story: relationships matter.

The Birth of Donovan’s Dish

Donovan’s Dish came next, born from Jill’s natural entrepreneurial instinct and her late husband TJ’s talent as an executive chef. Together, they saw a gap in the market for elevated, home-style meals that did not require the commitment of a full-service restaurant. From the beginning, Jill approached the business with intention, investing heavily in branding before menus, equipment, or inventory.

That decision paid off. Today, Donovan’s Dish is one of the most recognizable prepared food brands in the Triangle area, serving families across Raleigh, Cary, and beyond through catering, Dish to Door meal delivery, and in-person market locations.

Food as a Love Language

For Jill, food is deeply personal. Growing up with limited resources, she saw firsthand how meals could bring comfort, connection, and a sense of stability. That belief shaped Donovan’s Dish into more than a convenience. It became a way to show up for people during both celebrations and hardships.

Popular dishes like the lasagna, chicken piccata, short ribs, hibachi, and pimento cheese have become staples in many Raleigh households. The concept is simple but powerful: thoughtful, well-prepared meals that help families slow down and gather around the table, even during busy seasons.

The markets themselves are designed as experiences, not just storefronts. Walking into a Donovan’s Dish market feels intentional, elevated, and welcoming, blending great food with hostess gifts and curated details that make everyday life feel a little more special.

From Catering to Donovan’s Manor

A Dream Realized in Fuquay-Varina

After years of working inside other venues as a caterer, Jill wanted to experience celebrations from a new perspective. That dream became Donovan’s Manor, a luxury estate and wedding venue set on 15 acres just outside Raleigh in Fuquay-Varina.

The property features a 6,000 square foot main house, a 10,000 square foot ballroom, expansive courtyards, and rose gardens with more than 100 rose bushes. While it is primarily a wedding venue, Donovan’s Manor also hosts corporate events, celebrations of life, and milestone gatherings of all kinds.

What Couples Can Expect

At Donovan’s Manor, hospitality is the foundation. Jill describes luxury not as extravagance, but as thoughtfulness. From leather coasters to monogrammed details, the focus is on anticipating needs and creating an emotional connection.

Couples and families can expect a fully supported experience, from the moment they pull into the driveway until the last guest leaves. The venue is intentionally staffed with an extensive team, including dedicated hosts and the well-loved “Manor Boys,” ensuring that no detail is overlooked and stress is minimized on one of life’s most meaningful days.

Navigating Loss and Leading Forward

Jill’s journey has not been without heartbreak. After losing her husband, she was faced with the challenge of leading a growing business while grieving and raising three daughters. With the support of a strong village and trusted industry partners, she found her footing again, evolving both personally and professionally.

Today, Donovan’s Dish and Dish to Door stand as part of TJ’s legacy, while Donovan’s Manor represents Jill’s own vision and voice. Her daughters are already beginning to take part, learning firsthand what it means to work hard, lead with heart, and build something meaningful.

A Passion for Marketing and Brand

Marketing has always been one of Jill’s greatest strengths. From investing her first $6,000 into branding to registering dozens of domain names for future ideas, she approaches business with creativity and foresight. Photo shoots, reinvention, and staying ahead of cultural shifts energize her, and it shows across all three brands.

As she steps further into a leadership role focused on strategy rather than daily operations, Jill has rediscovered her love for this creative side of entrepreneurship.

What’s Next for Donovan Hospitality

Looking ahead, Jill is focused on expanding Dish to Door and the Donovan’s Dish markets throughout the Triangle. She believes strongly in the return to in-person shopping and the value of letting people see, smell, and experience food before bringing it home.

At its core, the mission remains the same: make high-quality, home-cooked meals accessible to busy families while preserving the joy and connection that comes from eating together.

Why Jill Donovan Represents the Best of Raleigh

Jill Donovan embodies what Best of Raleigh is all about. She is a builder, a creative, a mother, and a community-driven entrepreneur who understands that success is not just about growth, but about impact. Through food, hospitality, and thoughtful experiences, she continues to shape how families across Wake County gather, celebrate, and care for one another.

To learn more about Donovan’s Dish, Dish to Door, or Donovan’s Manor, visit their websites and follow along on social media.

Be sure to watch or listen to Episode 82 of The Best of Raleigh for the full conversation.