WELCOME
There ’ s no denying it , December really is the most magical time of the year .
Whether you crank up the Christmas tunes as the smoke settles from Bonfire Night , are a staunch December 1st decorator , fall into the mad-dash Christmas Eve panic-buy camp , or are a total Ebanana , bah-humbug , not-for-me , non-believer , there is magic to be had for you all … Especially here in Kent this winter .
This year simply has to be all about good times , good people , good vibes , good food , good fun , and good spirit , a premise that we believe in so much at iKHQ this year that we are making it compulsory !
To assist you on your merry mission we have collated another issue jam-packed full of wonderful events , festive features and all things dedicated to having simply the best Christmas in Kent .
Get out your diary and fill your seasonal sociality quota with our top events , days out and more from p15 . One of my favourite Christmas pastimes ( aside from eating ) has to be game time . From the humble deck of cards to this season ’ s new Monopoly , competitive war and laugh-till-you-cry chaos descends on casa del Ready , and honestly we can ’ t wait for that to return this year . In order to ramp up your festive fun we ’ ve sought out this year ’ s must have games perfect for family bonding and work shenanigans – find your fun fix from p40 and let us know if you end up the Dik Dik ! If you prefer to get your entertainment fix in a more relaxed setting then how about cosying up with our picks of top winter reads from some of Kent ’ s most acclaimed authors ? Read more on p35 .
Winter is also the perfect time to get outside and explore . We bring you your very own Kentish Winter
Trail on p47 ; highlight how to spend 48 Hours in beautiful Rochester from p53 ; and showcase some of the best made-in-Kent gifts perfect for you to plan a local shopping trip . Not only will you find unique out-of-this-world presents for under the tree you ’ ll be supporting local businesses and your local economy too ... be inspired from p61 . This season is of course about giving , and a charity gift will make more difference than you ’ ll ever know . Find out how you can give back this season on p195 and in our news section .
OK , OK , I ’ ve waited long enough , let ' s talk food ! And drink ! And food !
Prepare to showcase your very own Kentish feast this season as the county ’ s top chefs and producers share their very own festive recipes from p93 to make your dining experience truly memorable . And , it doesn ’ t stop there … We ’ ve matched your festive food with the very best Kentish fizz and spirits from p111 , and show you how to tablescape your way straight to the top of the good style list from p153 .
If , like me , you stupidly succumbed to the hype of a cute little elf a few years ago and now seethe in abject horror when the 1st rolls round , waking in a cold sweat at 2am shouting to your better half ‘ Noooooo ….. Baubles * insert expletive !* The elf !’ – we have you covered . No , not with iK ’ s event-planner extraordinaire Karlene ’ s elf calendar of activity ( yes she is that organised , no I am not , and yes we are tempted to sell these as a side hustle ) but with the most delicious and suitably seasonal cocktails , courtesy of Kent ’ s best mixologists ( the Gingerbread Espresso Martini is legit the stuff of dreams ) - prepare to get ( very ) merry from p125 . We also bring you our bottle tree of dreams showcasing the perfect tipples for gifting and partying on p121 and inspire you to fulfil your home bar dreams on p165 .
And if there was something that deserves a celebration this issue it has to be insideKENT ’ s biggest and best gift to you - EVER ! That ’ s right , the insideKENT Great Christmas Gift Giveaway is back !
The iK elves ( well your beloved account managers : Jerry , Jen , Sian and Adam in some dodgy hats ) have loaded the iK sleigh with prizes worth over £ 4,000 – and one lucky reader is going to win the lot ! All of it ! The whole shebang ! All in time for Christmas !
Find out how you can enter and just how fabulous the prizes really are from p83 - it ’ s such a brilliant giveaway , we ’ re a teensy bit envious - It ' s sure to make your tail happy !
I ’ m off to reward myself for seamlessly referencing the team ’ s top Christmas adverts above with another Gingerbread Espresso ( I also highly recommend you book a Thirsty Farriers ’ Masterclass to learn to make your own mock and cocktails !) and beat Jerry at Don ’ t be a Dik Dik …
From the whole team at insideKENT we wish you a very Merry Christmas Kentmas !
www . insidekentmagazine . co . uk
@ insideKENT
Publisher Adam Ready Editor Samantha Ready Features Editor & Administration Manager Karlene Gannon Deputy Editor Polly Humphris Features Writer Jess Marshall Features Writer Ashleigh Britten Features Writer Olivia Riccini Senior Designer Dave Leo Yogore Graphic Designer Lorna Morris Graphic Designer Kareena Ross-Cumming Sales Manager Jen Crisp Senior Account Manager Jerry Barrett Account Manager Sian Jowett Contributors Andrew McLeish , Arcanistrum , Dobbies , Eddi Taylor , JC Rooks & Sons , John Bingley , Kent Cookery School , Macknade , Oggs , Opies , Pietro Rizzo for Luxlo , Prof . Bijayendra Singh , Rob Taylor , Seb Dawson for Wildbox , Stuart Gillies , The Thirsty Farrier , Will Devlin Cover : JC Rooks & Sons 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
For all advertising enquiries , please contact Adam Ready on 01233 226519 or email adam @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk For all editorial enquiries , press releases or news stories , please contact insidekent @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk
© 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 .
12