WELCOME
Why , hello May !
Not only the official arrival of Spring in my book , ( especially considering what a crazy weather ride April transpired to be - giant hailstones and waves anyone ?), but also the arrival of one of iKHQ ’ s most favourite issues of the year - The Food & Festivals issue !
I mean , what could be better than a spring / summer diary jam-packed with the county ’ s most sought after events ? From wellness respite to wine tastings galore , to a myriad of arts , craft and produce , with a packed roster of music thrown in for good measure - let the good times roll !
Well how about a spring / summer jam packed with food , wine and celebrations too ?
Much like our forthcoming Royal Coronation this month , I was reminded actually just how divisive and subjective certain topics can be - including that of food - just days before rolling this tastebud-tempting issue off the press .
Now , of course in my career that is underpinned with writing and reviewing some of the most incredible dining experiences while living a ‘ normal ’ life as a busy mum and , confession time , actually being a closet fussy eater , I am more often than others exposed to this subjectiveness . My own better half peruses a menu seeking out the bread and savoury starters , always looking for spicy , hot hits of flavour ; while I , unashamedly , make a beeline for the dessert list , working my way back through the menu to ensure I leave enough room for a sweet treat . Any team deadline lunch descends into a chaotic fight over which street food from Coachworks is best . And I have also sat dining in group press trips with some of the UK ’ s most acclaimed food writers , journalists and critics ( I know , hard life huh …?) where despite usually singing from the same mouth-feel , ingredient-balance , nuanced-enough hymn sheet there have been clear divides over dish opinion - and that of course is the beauty of really enjoying ( or not ) food - and why we are so blessed with offering such an abundance of eclectic producedriven eateries , bars and vineyards across our Garden of England .
It was however when nonchalantly asked the ( actually impossible ) question of “ So … where ’ s your favourite restaurant in Kent then ?”, that I was somewhat irked . I paused to reply with my now practised , balanced and hopefully inclusive response ; highlighting everything from the most put together menus ( Ali Barsby at Hide & Fox still takes some beating , though I will never discount a Tash Smith pastry-led dish at Fordwich or The Bridge Arms ), to the best soufflé ( Patrick Hill at Thackeray ’ s FYI ). Those with a great approach to food miles ( take a bow Will Devlin ), to the ones boasting the most creative cocktails ( herd .’ s chef / mixologist serves are simply exquisite ). With a whole host of other standout experiences and dishes thrown in ( almost all of which you can find in our Food Fit For A King on p88 & Culinary Canterbury on p71 features this issue ); when one of my such responses elicited a raised eyebrow and almost sneered response of “ Oh , there ? Really ? Eugh .” Which was followed with a one-sided rhetoric of one person ’ s one-off dining experience a few weeks after a restaurant ’ s opening ( which for clarity for the uninformed is never a great nor fair time to judge a new venture …). Now while we are all of course allowed and should be encouraged to form our own opinions and express them it is also true that our hospitality industry is struggling , and the most important thing that we can do , as Kent supporters , journalists , reviewers , champions and dining and drinking guests , is to support and rally behind our independent cafés , bars , bistros , gastropubs and restaurants - regardless of your gastronomic persuasion . If you do have a less than great experience - tell the manager / chef / owner . Be constructive , be objective and be sensitive . Don ’ t spew it , perhaps unfoundedly elsewhere first . And just as important , if you have a great experience tell everyone you can ! Like we aim to do here with our host of varied first-hand reviews . Whether a repeat booking , word-of-mouth referral , or online review - it really does make all the difference .
One such other venture making a difference is Produced in Kent ’ s new Champion Membership . Opened up to Kent ’ s produce consumers for the first time ( hurrah for us readers !) it offers a host of special discounts and exclusive offers to those who truly do support local - be sure to find out more on p137 .
I ’ m off to fill my face with local produce , from local producers , at local restaurants ( no change there then !), while making sure I ’ m first in line for a ticket to the Wine Garden of England ’ s Summer Festival , see p135 for how to nab yours !
Cheers to a summer of food & fun Kent ! www . insidekentmagazine . co . uk
@ insideKENT
Publisher Adam Ready Editor-in-Chief Samantha Ready Features Editor & Administration Manager Karlene Gannon Editor Polly Humphris 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 Senior Account Manager Alex Perseval Intern Mia Chapman Contributors Adam Lacchin , Ally Dowsing-Reynolds , Dan Stevens ( Millbrook Garden Centre ), Jonathan Clark , Stuart Gillies ( Bank House / No8 ), William Durrant ( Herringbone Kitchens ) Cover : © Collins Bespoke
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