FOOD + DRINK
WATERSIDE RESTAURANT CELEBRATES DISTINGUISHED HOSPITALITY AWARD
Scooping a prestigious 2AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence , the team at The Ferry House are raising a toast to the achievement with a glass of gin ( made using grain grown on the family farm ). This significant award places the Isle of Sheppey restaurant among one of only 21 restaurants in Kent to have a 2AA Rosette .
The award represents another milestone in over 20 years of ownership by local third generation farming family , the Burdens , who have taken the venue from humble country pub origins , to a rustically refined country restaurant , boutique hotel and wedding venue in a beautiful wetland hideaway beside the Swale estuary .
With a long-standing family heritage of food cultivation , produce for the menu is cropped from the 1.5-acre kitchen garden alongside salt marsh-grazed beef , wild game and foraged produce from the shoreline and Harty estate .
Victoria Burden , who co-owns The Ferry House alongside husband Alex , said : “ We are beyond thrilled ! The report highlighted everything that ’ s important to us – the quality of our home grown produce , a relaxed dining experience and warm and friendly service . Most of all we ’ re happy for our team and proud of their contributions - every element of the AA report touches someone ’ s role here ; we are especially proud of and happy for our head chef , James Pilcher .”
BOYS HALL JOIN THE ESTEEMED MICHELIN GUIDE AND SCOOP TWO PRESTIGIOUS AA ROSETTES
CHRISTMAS PARTY MENUS LAUNCH AT MACKNADE
Not content with achieving two AA Rosettes for their incredible culinary offering in their first year of business , Ashford ’ s Boys Hall has also joined the heady ranks of the esteemed Michelin Guide along with 11 new establishments . The restaurant at Boys Hall has been named among the inspectors ’ new favourites , highlighted for its eye-catching design and brilliant wine list . Set within a gorgeous Grade-II listed manor house , the restaurant has already made quite the name for itself after opening in September 2022 , following an extensive three-year renovation .
Husband and wife team , Bradley and Kristie , have painstakingly restored the house to its former glory with the help of family , friends and a variety of local specialists . Bradley was the former operations director of East London Pub Co , and Kristie is the founder of Drink , Shop & Do , as well as Keystone Crescent members club in London ’ s King ’ s Cross . The couple departed the capital in 2019 and , on finding the hall , a mere 35-minute train ride from London , set about using their combined wealth of experience to create the ‘ getaway destination of their dreams ’ which is now open to the public .
The team have created delicious menus centred around seasonal , local produce from The Garden of England with daily changing dishes taking influence from homecooked favourites and elevated to new standards . The 70-cover restaurant is housed in a capacious new beamed dining room , constructed with local oak , and features a stunning open fireplace . With glass walls on both sides , every guest can enjoy views over the stunning gardens and terraces .
Whether you are friends , family or colleagues , celebrate the festive season together at Macknade . Book your Christmas party at Macknade in Faversham and tuck into a selection of showstopping seasonal dishes , showcasing the finest ingredients from the famous food hall and delicatessen .
Guests can choose from a traditional three-course menu with signature dishes including slow-roast homemade porchetta , free-range local turkey and a Kentish blue cheese salad with mulled pears . Sweet options include Macknade ’ s very own Christmas pudding and a decadent chocolate and clementine brownie .
There is also a menu of delicious drinks and various packages available to book in advance . Think Kentish sparkling , mulled wine and several ‘ low & no ’ options for the designated drivers !
Macknade ’ s Christmas party menus are available on 1 , 2 , 8 and 9 December . Saturday night bookings also include a DJ and dancing until 11pm . Large parties of 30 + can make it a private affair and enjoy the space all to themselves any night of the week ( subject to availability ).
Prices start from £ 32.50 for two courses . View the menus and book now at macknade . com / pages / christmas-parties .
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