They say ‘ All you need is love …’, yet my first thought ( whilst clutching my cup of 10am wine ) was clearly ‘ they ’ haven ’ t lived through the absolute mind-fudgery that is homeschooling , lockdowns , bizarre world events , and don ’ t even get us started on the small matter of a global pandemic ! Yet , step back from the trauma , the anxiety , the same four walls , and the ‘ can I have another snack ?’, and actually it ’ s so very , very true .
Think about what you have missed most and appreciated above all else during these times , and surely top of the list has to be our loved ones . The ones that seem so far away , that haven ’ t had a hug for months on end , and the ones that ( whilst driving you crazy on a daily basis ) are there with a brighteyed , chocolate-smeared kiss at the end of another long day in lockdown .
Now , more than ever , we need to take heart , find pleasure in the small things and appreciate that in fact love is all around us .
Our February issue is usually jammed packed with wedding ideas , not to be missed half term events and date nights out . So while we send all our love to industry friends and colleagues , and all those Kentish couples who have had to press pause on their nuptials , we offer you instead some rather fabulous features , full of heart , to bring you some lockdown love … and food … there ’ s always food !
We bring you snapshots capturing love in Kent from p14 ; showcase the most incredible rooms with a view , that should be top of your romantic break to do list , from p25 ; and have all your Valentine gift quandaries sorted with a host of top pressie ideas from p32 – we ’ ve even thrown in some special Kentish choices too !
Now date night this year will be rather different ( especially if you ’ re sharing it with the family !), fear not , we have date night recipes that can be prepped in advance or less than 30 mins from p57 ; and share some of the most delicious finish at home dishes from Kent ’ s top chefs starting on p39 ; we ’ ve even sorted out your outfits too , so why not dress to impress from p70 ?
If , like me , you are getting just a little bored of eating the same ol ’ thing , why not opt for a takeaway with a difference ? We ’ ve highlighted some of the best pop-ups for everything from Caribbean spice to a banging brunch that ’ s not to be missed , starting on p45 .
With the January diets a vague memory we can instead refocus on the carbs ( hurrah !), which is just as well , as this fine month brings us not one , but two reasons to celebrate ( and stuff ourselves silly ), courtesy of Real Bread Week and National Pizza Day . You can discover Kent ’ s top dough mastreos from p49 .
Our kitchens are , without a doubt , the heart of the home – and they are certainly getting more use these days than ever before ! So , what more fitting issue to bring you – ably assisted by some of Kent ’ s top kitchen companies – our jam-packed special feature on the hottest kitchen trends for 2021 ! Be seriously inspired from p79 .
And of course that ’ s not all ! You can Meet the Chef , p47 ; Meet the Producer , p64 ; plan 48 Hours in The Weald , p19 ; read with awe about the wonderful
THROWBACK TO WHEN DATE NIGHTS WERE A THING ... FEELING THE LOVE AT THE BEAUTIFUL EASTWELL MANOR .
Wave Crest renovation , our real home by the amazing Fred & Ginger , p101 ; and our specialist this month , Tina Walker counsels you through the pitfalls and preciousness of looking for love on p73 .
So whatever your ‘ lovedown ’ may look like , we hope you can find the sunshine in the clouds .
Love ya Kent !
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Publisher Adam Ready Editor Samantha Ready Features Editor Sara Stephen Editorial Assistant Alison Kettle Features Writer Jess Marshall Features Writer Ashleigh Britten Senior Designer Dave Leo Yogore Graphic Designer Lorna Morris Graphic Designer Kareena Ross-Cumming Senior Account Manager Jerry Barrett Account Manager Nadene Weed Account Manager Anna Lockyer Administration Manager & Fashion Editor Karlene Gannon Contributors Adrian Stoneham , Andrew M Lewis , An Item Explores , Charlie Bridson , DeWitt , Freya Patel , Gemma Collins , Joe Aust , Jordi Parsons , Mark Castro , Meaghan Hunter , Melissa Klink , Paul Dixon , Quiet Mark , Rencraft , Richard Moore , Rick Schofield , Roger Stranger , Sarah Lake , Stone Tile Warehouse , Victoria Crocker , Tina Walker , Zoe J Photography Cover © Collins Bespoke
insideKENT Magazine is published by Sideways Media Ltd , Coachworks , Dover Place , Ashford , Kent TN23 1HU www . sidewaysmedia . co . uk For general enquiries , please contact hello @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk or 01233 226519
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© Copyright 2021 . The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher . Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees , warranties or claims as to the accuracy , currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine . No part of this magazine may be copied , reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher ’ s written consent . No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial , images or photographs published . While every care is taken , prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors . Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes .
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