FOOD + DRINK
DANIEL AND NATASHA SMITH
THE BRIDGE ARMS AND THE FORDWICH ARMS
JOURNEY TO THE STARS
LIVING IN A NEIGHBOURING VILLAGE , I HAVE KNOWN THE VILLAGE OF BRIDGE MY ENTIRE LIFE . A VILLAGE THAT STILL SHOWCASES THE TRADITIONAL IDENTITY OF KENTISH LIFE AND HALCYON DAYS OF TIMES GONE BY WITH ITS SUMMER FETES , CRICKET PITCH , LOCAL SHOP , HAIRDRESSERS AND TEA ROOM , IT IS A PLACE IN WHICH VILLAGERS TAKE TRUE PRIDE TO LIVE IN .
NATASHA AND SON LORCAN
The long high street that stretches over something of a valley is central to the community ; at Christmas they hang glowing Christmas trees out of every window and in spring and summer , hanging baskets brighten doorways and pretty window boxes adorn the fronts of every house . Of course , like any classic Kentish village , Bridge comes with its own country pubs which have perched in their ancient seats for centuries . Bridge , in fact , has three . Or rather , had three . That distinctive third , once known as the White Horse , has taken on a brand new identity , Michelinstarred marvel , The Bridge Arms .
The magnificent duo responsible for this miraculous transformation is husband and wife team , Daniel and Natasha Smith . In 2016 , Daniel was named The Observer ’ s Young Chef of the Year before settling at The Clove Club for five years where he was an integral part of the team that earned a Michelin star . His talented wife , Natasha has worked at the
Michelin-starred Chapter One in Kent , as well as heading up the pastry kitchen of the Michelin-starred One Leicester Street . Most recently Natasha was appointed one of the head pastry chefs at Rocket , a prestigious events company in London .
After taking on the Fordwich Arms , which gained a Michelin star within a year , the pair fell in love with Bridge and added The Bridge Arms to their repertoire , gaining their second Michelin star just 10 months after opening . The menu concept created by the combined creative imagination of Daniel and Natasha uses seasonal ingredients , with the desire to support local suppliers while highlighting the best of British produce . With two Michelin stars under their belt in astonishing time , Natasha and Daniel are nothing short of hospitality and culinary geniuses . I was lucky enough to sit down with Daniel for a short interview amid his very busy schedule and gain more insight into his world .
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