FOOD + DRINK
STEFANO CUOMO , CEO AND OWNER OF MACKNADE , FAVERSHAM
A FABULOUS FOOD HALL , DELICATESSEN , BUTCHERY AND CAFÉ , MACKNADE IS A MUST WHEN SHOPPING FOR DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS FOOD AND DRINKS . HERE , CUSTOMERS WILL FIND A SPECTACULAR ARRAY OF KENTISH PRODUCTS AND PRODUCE , READY TO MAKE THEIR CHRISTMAS FEAST NOTHING SHORT OF SENSATIONAL .
Stefano , why do you think it is important to buy local produce and products ?
What is made on our doorstep invariably reflects us and captures who we are . We have a huge emotive connection with it , and it is so much more than simply sustenance . This is never more important than at Christmas , as we wrap ourselves up in our communities , strengthening those bonds . Food , produced by our neighbours , peers and friends , cannot be beaten for doing this .
Furthermore , it supports expertise and innovation in our regions , it facilitates job growth , returns economic value into our communities and shouts about our pride in our place and our people . It also tastes far better as it has less distance to travel and uses products at their peak .
There is a plethora of Kentish food products in Macknade . Tell us some of your top tips when it comes to choosing the right ones for us at Christmas .
Our team goes to great lengths to select the very best for our customers ( just yesterday , they were striding through cattle pastures to meet the cows that make our delicious Kentish Blue cheese !), so whatever you take from our shelves is guaranteed to be delicious .
The main rule , as with everything in life , is go with what you like .
That said , if you are coming to buy for others , just ask . Our team knows their stuff and that is why we are here . On the counters , our teams will offer every cheese to try before you buy , so if you think you don ’ t like something , have a little sample … you might be surprised !
I personally love the classics . Gimmicks can be fun and make a great talking point ( who doesn ’ t love a cheese advent calendar ), but well-made classics , such as an old-fashioned Christmas pudding or our signature panettones , are at the heart of a traditional Christmas .
What are Macknade ' s top Christmas selections ?
The list is endless ! If you choose Macknade to deliver your Christmas feasting , you will not be disappointed . We are the conduit between our wonderful producers and our community . Whether you are ordering one of our incredible free-range turkeys , reared just down the road in Herne , or our vegetables collected daily from our farmers in Thanet , they all taste delicious .
When thinking of gifting , our hampers come out tops and are constantly held up as amongst the best in the business ( think F & M ). We send them all over the country , but perhaps our favourite is our Best of Kent Hamper showcasing the best of our local artisans . They are hugely popular as gifts for family and friends , as well as corporate clients trusting us to reflect their own businesses .
Macknade has a brilliant butcher , what sets it apart from other butchers and what can we expect this Christmas from the butchery counter ?
Macknade has always been about quality and community , and this sits at the core of what our butchers do . Trust , both from our customers and our farmers , is at the heart of this . We tell the stories of our produce and the farms from which they come , so that our customers have complete trust in the origins and provenance . We shout about the care and dedication that too often gets hidden , as all of our farmers hold the welfare of their animals so highly and the integrity of their land is precious .
At Christmas , this is reflected by our wonderful freerange Kentish turkeys , our pasture-fed beef and our
handmade sausages and bacon ( perfect for pigs in blankets !). Our team is precise and works with care to break down the whole animal . They can source whatever is wanted at this special time of year , too . As keen cooks and chefs , they can recommend recipes and make suggestions for cuts and sizes .
Macknade has a cheesemongers and deli section . What sets it apart from others and what can we expect this Christmas from the counter ?
We have hundreds of cheeses from across the county and further afield . Cheese was created as a means to conserve milk but to us now it is so much more ! At Macknade , it is that magic elixir of life – whether that be a beautiful cloth bound Kentish cheddar transforming your lunchtime sandwich , or a luxurious cheese board as the centrepiece of your Christmas party .
If you are new to the joys of artisan cheese , our deli team takes great pleasure in sharing their favourites ( Vacherin is always a winner at this time of year ), as well as recommending plant-based alternatives .
Anything else you think our readers should know ?
A few words from Tash , one of our incredible buyers :
“ Remember to have fun ! Too often we can get so bogged down in prepping for the busiest time of the year , we forget to enjoy the moments . Shopping can be stressful , so the important thing is to make it an experience rather than a chore !”
That is what Macknade is all about !
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