FOOD + DRINK
EYES ON THE PIES CONT .
THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE
BUTCHERS BLOCK
If you are unsure of what pie you want you want to try or simply want to sample a really good pie , The Stone Horse Pub ( www . thestonehorse . co . uk ) which falls directly upon the boundary between Gravesham and Medway , in Higham near Rochester , has been serving up magnificent pies since 1886 . Based in a building that dates all the way back to 1774 , the reign of King George III , seek out The Stone Horse for a warm and cosy pub atmosphere as well as traditional hearty pub food favourites , including their ever-changing , Pie of the Day served with creamy mashed potato and seasonal vegetables . The Plough Inn ( www . theploughinnstalisfield . co . uk ) near Faversham , is a family-run treasure that can be found in the beautiful countryside of Stalisfield . With over 30 years of hospitality experience between them , owners Marianne and Richard Baker have a serious passion for both food and the countryside . The Plough ’ s seasonal menu and blackboard selections always celebrate their shared love of local country produce and unpretentious dining , and this includes their Proper Pie which is served with either chips or mash alongside seasonal vegetables . The Plough Inn has also been awarded ‘ Kent Dining Pub of the Year ’ for two years in a row by The Good Pub Guide in 2020 and 2021 , so rest assured that the Proper Pie will be of critical acclaim too .
Another Kent gem that is passionate about serving local produce in the form of gastronomic delights is The Pig at Bridge Place ( www . thepighotel . com / atbridge-place ). The Pig ’ s famed 25 mile menu consists of produce that , yes , comes from a 25 mile radius and thus features some of the finest meats , fruits , herbs and vegetables that Kent has to offer . This includes Fran ’ s winter vegetable pie which is made from vegetables provided by local farmers and The Pig ’ s very own kitchen garden . Topped off with puff pastry that makes a satisfying crackle when sliced and a creamy side of mashed potato , this is a dish that can be wholeheartedly savoured when in the beautiful surroundings of The Pig ’ s Kent kitchen garden themed restaurant ; decorated with a hotchpotch array of traditional pickling jars and kitchen herbs and botanical plants in terracotta pots .
Game pie is yet another famed favourite British pie . Using game from local supplier Crouch Butchers ( www . crouch-butchers . co . uk ) in Bearsted , Butchers Block ( www . thebutchersblockpub . co . uk ) is one of the best places to sample this hearty homemade shortcrust pie . Served with chive mash , creamed leeks , kale and a rich jus , this dish is a mouthwatering masterpiece perfected by head chef , Ray . Situated only five miles from both Maidstone and Rochester , Butchers Block provides quaint English pub loveliness alongside a passion for good , wholesome British food .
Of course , a good pie can be eaten from the comfort of home too . Ready made with love , a good butcher will usually have pies in glorious supply . Camden Butchers ( www . facebook . com / camdenbutchersgjw ) in Tunbridge Wells is the proud father of Camden Pies and Pastries , who sell beautiful golden pies in spectacular abundance with fine , top-quality , meat fillings , making the perfect meal alongside local veggies for you and your loved ones . Dymchurch Butchers ( www . facebook . com / DymchurchButchers ) and Aldington Fresh Foods ( www . facebook . com / aldingtonfreshfoods ) both owned and run by the Vickerman family , are passionate about keeping alive the traditional practices of butchers and fishmongers , which they believe is key to promoting sustainability within the food industry . With their locally sourced quality meat , fish , fruit and vegetables , Dymchurch Butchers and Aldington Fresh Foods create signature food items , including delicious pies , ready made for you to take home . While family-founded and run Rooks ( www . rooksonline . co . uk ), with eleven shops across Kent from Deal to Maidstone and Ramsgate to Millbrook in Gravesend , offers a host of family-sized savoury and sweet pies as well as the option to purchase handmade pastry to make your own pies at home .
The pie may come in many shapes , flavours and sizes , but one thing is clear - the British pie is far from humble , and this is something that pie pioneer Geoffrey Chaucer undoubtedly knew when he first penned his recipe back in 1381 . A true icon of British cuisine , the pie is now celebrated world over , but for a true slice of the traditional wholesome goodness that the pie represents , Kent is unquestionably on hand to deliver .
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