FOOD + DRINK
The Great Kentish Bake Off cont...
TECHNICAL: KENT’ S OWN GOODS
It wouldn’ t be a true Kentish bakery tour without sampling the county’ s most iconic sweet treats. From the famous Gypsy Tart to other regional classics, these bakeries are keeping Kent’ s rich baking heritage alive.
If there’ s one bake synonymous with the Garden of England, it’ s the Gypsy Tart. A sweet delicacy originating in the Isle of Sheppey, this treat only needs three ingredients: shortcrust pastry for the golden base, evaporated milk and muscovado sugar for the caramel-like flavour.
Fancy trying one of these Kentish delights for yourself? Head to A. E Barrow & Sons( aebarrow. co. uk) on Sittingbourne High Street. This family-run bakery has been serving high-quality bakes for nearly a century, earning a solid reputation for their deep pride in Kent’ s baking heritage. Although their signature delicacy is the Gypsy Tart, they also specialise in beautifully decorated cakes and bakery classics, including hot sausage rolls and pastries.
For a slower pace, head to Wingham and find Wilmshurst Bakery( wilmshurstbakery. co. uk). Family-run for nearly 100 years, the bakery is renowned for another of Kent’ s delicacies: the Kentish huffkin. Known for its distinctive thumbprint indent, according to local legend a baker’ s wife was so furious with him that she stuck her thumb in each of his freshly baked bread rolls to ruin them and thus the famous huffkin was born.
Whether folklore or fact, the huffkin has become a symbol of Kent’ s baking tradition and Wilmshurst continues to produce them to an exceptional standard. Aside from huffkins, the bakery offers an extensive range of artisan loaves and savoury bakes alongside timeless favourites such as Bakewell tarts and frangipanes.
Continue west to Canterbury for another regional speciality: the aptly named Canterbury Tart. A sweet, apple-based dish filled with apple and custard, its origins are thought to trace back to Geoffrey Chaucer’ s Canterbury Tales in the late 14th century. Today, although the tart is rarely available, you can find similarly delicious fruit tarts at A. T Patisserie( azucartreats. com). Set against the dramatic backdrop of Canterbury Cathedral, the bakery’ s charming pastel-pink frontage is as inviting as the display inside. If you pick up a sweet pastry, you can also treat yourself to one of their colourful macarons, which all share a penchant for vibrant colours and elegant design.
A. E. BARROW & SONS
© Matt McNulty Photography
BASEMENT BAKEHOUSE
RISE AND BUN
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