FOOD + DRINK
MEET THE CHEF :
ANTHONY BIRCH
Owner , Silver Birch Fine Foods
What led you to becoming a chef ?
I have been in the trade since leaving school , beginning my studies at Canterbury College which is where I realised my passion for food . I dedicated many years to learning and gaining as much experience as possible , from fine dining to event catering in many different settings .
Where did you train ?
I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work around Europe , spending two years in France at Chateau De Sissi in Normandy , learning traditional cooking . I then spent two years in Sardinia , working for Master Chef Eoghain O ’ Neill as his sous chef in Alghero , Sardinia at restaurante O . When working at Wembley Stadium in 2008 , I was a finalist in the West Sussex Culinary Competition . In 2018 , I was also selected to cater for the England Rugby Team in Oxford . All of this experience led me to understand the importance of using fresh vibrant ingredients , and different techniques and methods which I apply and develop in my cooking everyday .
What inspired you to open Silver Birch Fine Foods here in Kent ?
Silver Birch Fine Foods is an events catering company specialising in fusion street food using local ingredients in a modern and unique way . Harnessing my years of culinary experience , I chose to take the leap and constructed a catering wagon from a vintage horsebox , using traditional techniques to give a rustic but elegant feel . I wanted to showcase my passion
for the amazing produce we have in this county and basing my trailer at Macknades in Faversham , has been a dream come true .
What is your ethos ?
We take pride in our food , push the boundaries of fusion cuisine , and bring people together by supporting local independent food distributors and our ever growing community , and supporting the local community is a big part of our ethos . Experiencing ill health a few years ago , ( including open heart surgery and spending many months recovering in hospital ) gave me even more drive to support the local community by offering my skills to help others . We have run many charity events , including opening the doors on Christmas Day at our local charity in Canterbury , The Umbrella Centre , which supports people with mental health challenges . We offered a fine dining experience and were overwhelmed with the support and response following this event . During the first lockdown , we organised a live cooking demonstration , teaching people how to make a traditional scotch egg with celeriac remoulade , all in aid of mental health awareness week .
Tell us about the dishes and menu you have created
At Macknade in Faversham , we offer a wide range of fusion dishes with many vegan and vegetarian options . Some of our dishes include our signature Mac ' n ' chini , a take on the traditional arancini with a hickory smoked mac ‘ n ’ cheese with truffle oil ,
coated in panko breadcrumbs . This is served with a sriracha aioli , chilli pickle pineapple , tobacco onions and micro greens .
What is your signature / favourite dish ?
Our Ponzu pulled pork stack has an Asian twist using a citrus soya marinated sauce – packed with ginger , soya , sesame , orange , and rice wine – its fresh and vibrant , and comes served in our charcoal roll from Wingham Bakery accompanied with homemade miso aioli and Szechuan pickles . We use bold flavours and textures to give you an experience of global cuisine in a balanced delivery , in every dish served , using local ingredients wherever possible . It is always a good idea to complement the dishes with our renowned truffle parmesan fries , which are incredibly popular !
What is your guilty pleasure ?
That has to be cinnamon blondie brownies from The Brownie Eyed Girl !!
Silver Birch Fine Foods are at Macknades Food Village , Faversham Thursdays to Sundays , and offer takeaway during lockdown . Order at the trailer or via the telephone ordering service . For booking enquiries , collaborations and events contact Anthony Birch ; silverbirchfinefoods @ gmail . com or call 07392 077 540 .
silverbirchfinefoods . co . uk silverbirchfinefoods
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