FOOD + DRINK
BAKKAVOR CREATES 150 JOBS IN TILMANSTONE
Bakkavor , the UK ’ s leading fresh prepared food manufacturer , has announced that it is creating 150 food operative jobs at its Kent-based Tilmanstone site .
The jobs created at Tilmanstone , which has been a major employer in the region for over 40 years and specialises in the manufacturing of bagged salads and bowl salads , are all permanent roles across day , evening and night shifts , and represent a welcome economic boost to the local community – at a time when the fallout from Covid has resulted in the highest level of UK unemployment for five years . The company has remained open for business throughout the pandemic , maintaining food supply at a critical time and ensuring that supermarket shelves remained stocked .
Dan Hill , general manager at Bakkavor Salads Tilmanstone , comments : “ Today ’ s news on 150 new jobs contributes to the economic health of the local community at a critical time .
NEW PUMPROOM RESTAURANT OPENS AT COPPER RIVET DISTILLERY
The team behind the award-winning Copper Rivet Distillery have opened a new 80-seat restaurant at their Chatham base . shallot and garlic main ; finishing off with a delicious Granny Smith tart , toffee popcorn and Masthouse Whisky custard .
“ Aside from good rates of pay and real opportunities to progress and develop skills , we offer new joiners a range of staff benefits , including a stakeholder pension and life insurance cover , as well as heavily discounted food products from our newly opened staff shop . We are delighted to be creating significant employment opportunities at a very challenging time for the local economy .”
Housed in a stunning Victorian pump house beside the River Medway , The Pumproom restaurant will not only offer views across the water to Upnor Castle , but also a refined à la carte , tapas and drinks menu .
With a wooden decked terrace beside the water offering the perfect spot for alfresco dining and to sample some of the distillery ’ s signature cocktails ; The Pumproom promises a relaxed fine-dining experience with a contemporary take on classic dishes , many of them influenced by the herbs , spices and flavours from around the globe , which formed an important gastronomic and medicinal element in Chatham ’ s naval history .
Diners can expect tempting dishes such as : the bone marrow , chicken crackling , smoked eel , cockles , radish , and toast starter ; an ash-rolled 40day-aged fillet , beef shin ragout , pearl barley ,
Commenting on its opening last month , Copper Rivet Distillery ’ s commercial director , Stephen Russell , said : “ Outstanding food creations by head chef Will Freeman are complemented by expertly curated wines from Kent and from around the world .
“ Signature cocktails will feature the best spirits the world has to offer , including our own three gins , our vodka , our English Grain Spirit and our newly released Masthouse Single Malt Whisky .”
Maitre d ’ Dom Schefferlie adds : “ Our team at the Pumproom will be using seasonal ingredients to maximum effect and , in keeping with the ethos of the distillery , will be taking a keen interest in provenance – using local ingredients wherever possible , be they locally grown vegetables , locally reared meat or locally landed fish such as Rye Bay cod .”
SOLLEY ’ S ICE CREAM PARLOUR IS GOOD TO GO FOR SUMMER SEASON
Solley ’ s Ice Cream Parlour has opened for the summer season , offering takeaway ice cream 7 days a week from the family farm in Ripple , nr Deal . Tractor rides are also running daily ( weather dependent !) and there is a farm trail to follow , as well as lots of walks and cycling routes across the surrounding area .
Producing a range of over 15 delicious flavours of real dairy ice cream , visitors are able to choose their favourite combination of flavours to enjoy on a cone or cup , as well as in lager 750ml tubs to enjoy at home . launched a “ knock & drop ” contactless home delivery service , whereby their Kentish ice cream is available to be delivered to your door , throughout the majority of Kent . Their newly launched online shop now makes ordering Solley ’ s even easier , meaning that delicious ice cream is only ever a few clicks away .
Solley ’ s Ice Cream Parlour is open 11am – 4pm daily at The Dairy , Church Lane , Ripple , CT14 8JL . More information on visiting , as well as how to order online may be found at www . solleysicecream . co . uk .
As a result of having to close the parlour doors for much of the season last year , Solley ’ s also
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