FOOD + DRINK
BAKER ’ S DOZEN
FROM SCRUMPTIOUS SOURDOUGH AND PERFECT PASTRIES TO LUSCIOUS LOAVES AND CREATIVE CAKES , KENT ’ S BAKERIES AND PATISSERIES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND ARE CERTAIN TO DELIGHT EVEN THE MOST DISCERNING OF PALATES .
© Joe Joesland
MRS SOURDOUGH
Kent ’ s love affair with baking is one that has lasted centuries . Evolving with society ’ s desires for different bakes along with cultural influences brought to our shores from across the globe , it is an area of food that Kent has seen mature with finesse . Rising like a crusty loaf or a fluffy cake in the oven , this is a story that , like many others , began with Kent ’ s fertile soil and brilliant agriculture . This part of baking history can still be witnessed in Kent today , with the biggest ode to the industry being the magnificent marks it made on the land - the Kentish windmill . Although only a few survive to this day , with many falling into disrepair due to their fragile nature or having been converted into private homes , they make a spectacular sight to see and are an important part of Kentish heritage .
The Union Mill in Cranbrook is England ’ s tallest smock windmill . Standing at 72-feet high with white weatherboarding , it is one of the few remaining traditional mills still in operation for its original use of making flour - which can be purchased in the souvenir shop . Another architectural feature that has stood the test of time are Kent ’ s town and village bakeries . Although somewhat falling victim to the surge in supermarkets and cheap mass production sometime after the 1970s , today , like many other local artisan businesses and makers , we have applauded their resurgence . Kent has also welcomed in a whole host of ‘ born again ’ bakery concepts , dreamt up by creatives that have reimagined the ‘ traditional bakery ’ in new and exciting forms . From coffee shops with a focus on pastries and Instagrammable vegan cakes to ‘ micro bakeries ’ that deliver sensational goodies on a bike to your doorstep , Kent will have a bakery to suit , no matter your taste . Here are just some of insideKENT ’ s favourites :
Mrs Sourdough , Chatham @ mrs . sourdoughbakery
A bakery , patisserie and coffee shop located in historic Chatham , this Medway gem is always filled with fresh baked sourdough loaves , as well as incredible cakes , savoury treats , lunches and specialty coffee . Well known for their artisan bread which is kneaded , leavened , shaped and baked with traditional methods using no artificial preservatives and no flour improvers , founder of Mrs Sourdough , Kat , says : “ The only thing we add is our endless passion for real bread ”. Kat also explains why she chose to focus her creativity on sourdough . “ Sourdough bread isn ’ t made with commercial yeast but with a live fermented culture of flour and water to help the dough rise . This makes it one of the healthiest breads as the long fermentation helps break down gluten and it becomes more digestible and you feel much lighter .”
White Finch Bakery , Meopham @ whitefinchbakery
A myriad of mesmerising cakes , beautiful brownies , scrumptious scones , perfect pastries and more are baked here , all with fresh and locally sourced ingredients . As well as the sweet stuff , there ’ s also savoury sourdoughs , bagels and breads , all of which you can enjoy with a strong cup of tea in a beautiful china teapot or take away with you to enjoy in the comfort of home or outdoors at one of Kent ’ s beauty spots .
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