FOOD + DRINK
The Great Kentish Bake Off cont...
SHOWSTOPPERS: STARS OF THE BAKING SCENE
Perhaps you’ re searching for something out of the ordinary … A bakery that’ s as memorable for its creativity as it is for its bakes. With that in mind, this list contains the real showstopper bakeries- unique ideas, creative goods and an all-round spectacular experience.
If there were an award for Kent’ s most exciting bakery scene, Margate would undoubtedly take the biscuit. The charming seaside town is home to an eclectic collection of bakeries, beginning with Rise and Bun( riseandbun. co. uk). Just moments from the beach, its unmistakable bright red shopfront specialises in exactly what the name promises- freshly baked buns in every flavour imaginable. From classic cinnamon to savoury pizza buns, there is something to suit every palate, whether you’ re ready to eat in-store or take a stroll along Margate Main Sands.
Five minutes up the road, you’ ll find the family-run Olimpia Bakery, bringing a taste of Greece to the Kent coast by serving authentic Mediterranean pastries. You can try local favourites including spanakopita, a spinach-stuffed pastry, and peinirli satiate, a cheesy bacon turnover, alongside the pistachio and caramel trileçe, which proves especially popular at this little slice of Greece in the heart of Margate.
Completing Margate’ s trio of standout bakeries is Bombo Doughnuts( bombodoughnuts. com), one of the newer additions to the town’ s thriving food scene. Serving handcrafted doughnuts in an everchanging selection of seasonal flavours alongside unmissable classics like custard, jam and glazed rings, you’ ll find its unmistakable bright pink van, affectionately named Judy, at Dreamland for an irresistible treat between rides or something to snack on while enjoying the vast array of live music and events.
For a change in pace, head into the Kent countryside and discover Grain and Hearth( grainandhearth. co. uk) in the heart of Faversham. Winner of the National Bakery Awards’ Best Bakery in Kent, the rustic cafe has earned a devoted following for its authentic artisan sourdough. The same bread forms the foundation for its generously filled sandwiches and toasties brimming with flavour and this picturesque spot makes for the perfect place to savour a much-needed bite to eat.
No bakery is truly complete without a good cake selection and Rebakers Cakes( rebakerscakes. com) have taken this ethos and run with it. Their shop on Rainham High Street is teeming with cakes of every filling imaginable, from British staples like Victoria sponge to carrot cake and tangy lemon drizzle. Among the most distinctive is the bakery’ s popular Cake in a Can- layers of sponge and filling packed into a reusable jar; a simple yet utterly delicious idea.
Baking, for many, has always been a passion, but for friends Liam and Andrea in Gravesend, baking has become a success story. The friends launched Basement Bakehouse( basementbakehouse. co. uk), aptly named because it quite literally began in the basement of their own home, where they baked and sold their creations directly from their kitchen.
Demand quickly outgrew the space, with customers queuing halfway down the road, so they decided to open a cart in their local park. An instant hit with the community, they have since risen through the ranks with their delicious cinnamon buns, sourdough loaves and their ever-so-popular lemon meringue cookies.
The rolling countryside of Sevenoaks is home to its own bakery gems including Crumb and Get It( coolings. co. uk), the artisan bakery attached to Coolings Garden Centre. Run by husband-and-wife team Richard and Megan, the bakery has built a loyal following thanks to its handmade pastries and speciality sea salt and rosemary focaccia, which is adored by customers. Warm hospitality is as much a part of the experience as the baking itself and, if you’ re not quite ready to leave, there’ s the bonus of exploring one of Kent’ s best garden centres.
Rounding off our showstopper tour is another Sevenoaks favourite- Eat’ n’ Mess( eatnmesscakes. co. uk), a bakery that has carved out a niche with its exclusively gluten-free menu. Their extensive array of cakes, gooey brownies and fresh cookies proves that gluten-free baking needn’ t compromise on flavour or creativity. The rural setting lends itself to the café’ s rustic style, with its courtyard seating overlooking the Weald where these showstopper bakes can be enjoyed in equally exceptional surroundings.
REBAKERS BAKERY GILDA BAKERY
© Ashleigh Britten Media
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