VISITING ...
SHAKING IT UP FOR ...
WELCOME
WELCOME
Utter the words ‘ May issue ’ at iKHQ and eyes immediately light up . In scenes reminiscent of Hook ’ s make-believe buffet food fight to Oliver ’ s ‘ Food Glorious Food ’ ensemble chorus , it is more than fair to say that we all unashamedly verge towards the gluttonous here at insideKENT , especially if the produce , dish or tipple is Kentish !
From intellectual conversations about top-tier cocktails ( Alex ’ s go to is a pina colada , whereas espresso martinis top my list ), lively sharing of must-visit or must-tries - be sure to check out our reviews of the anniversary-celebrating Kentish Hare on p102 and Rocksalt ’ s new Wine Bar menu on p108 - to debates about the best coffee , croissant or sweet treat in Kent ( don ’ t miss Katy from Visit Kent ’ s lowdown on p27 ), food is a continuous theme - so it stands to reason that our May issue is one of our and indeed your absolute favourites - just don ’ t mention tiramisu to Karlene !
This year , for your reading and gastronomic pleasure , we are delighted to bring you a smorgasbord of foodie content from fruity beauty ( p143 ) to exploring the health benefits of functional mushrooms ( p132 ), a foray into foraging ( p86 ) and making a sustainable stand ( p81 ), we have it all ! And we ’ re not full yet … We also have incredible fakeaway recipes ( p92 ), fabulous insights into Owlets Juice , Kent Cookery School , The Cooking Apple and The
British Queen ( from p116 ), as well as a meeting with the chef behind the fabulous Marleys in Folkestone ( p110 ); we ’ ve even thrown in some celeb dining hotspots too ( p105 )!
If indulgence also requires a food-coma induced slumber , how about checking in and chowing down at one of Kent ’ s plethora of award-winning and delicious restaurants with rooms ? Who needs one for the road when it ’ s merely one for the steps upstairs - hurrah ! See p70 for our top picks - including our stunning and delicious cover star , The Ferry House .
If food were not enough , spring also heralds the start of festival season ! From those food-and-drink related , like the Wine Garden of England ’ s Summer Festival on 8 June at Chilham Castle ( see p130 ), to those with a more traditional feel - Leeds Castle Concert anyone ? - we have compiled this year ’ s must-visit list starting on p34 and also have a fabulous competition for you to join us at the Leeds Castle Concert ; see p42 to find out how to enter .
I ’ m off to celebrate this issue by shaking up a cocktail storm with World Margarita finalist Lexi , you can catch her at the Hide Bar at this year ’ s ASHFOOD ! Festival ( p52 ) if you fancy a notable tipple yourself and be sure to tag us in your foodie adventures @ insidekent .
Cheers Kent !
Sam x
@ samjready
this MAY we are ...
VISITING ...
SHAKING IT UP FOR ...
WORLD COCKTAIL DAY ! iK BOOK CLUB
NEW Cocktail Collection ! Johnnie Walker Old Fashioned ( 20.5 % ABV ), Tanqueray Negroni ( 17.5 % ABV ) and Cîroc Cosmopolitan ( 17.5 % ABV ). 50cl ( five serves per bottle ), RRP £ 14.99 .
READING ...
KITCHEN THERAPY : HOW TO BECOME A CONSCIOUS COOK CHARLOTTE HASTINGS Ortus Press www . amazon . co . uk , £ 14.99
Explaining the rationale behind the use of food - cooking and eating it - as a therapeutic endeavour , Kitchen Therapy , rather than focusing on physical nutrition , directs attention onto the way we feed ourselves within social and nurturing environments using the cooking process to understand ourselves and build a healthier , more integrated future , together . Kitchen Therapy will be out on the 28 June and is available now on Amazon for pre-order .
BROOME PARK ’ S BRIDGERTON AFTERNOON TEA EXPERIENCE
Dearest readers , we are delighted to be joining the esteemed Broome Park for tea on Sunday 19 May between 2pm - 4pm .
The luxurious , Regency-era experience will be full of decadent treats and entertainment . Sip Pimms and bubbles on the lawn , play croquet and lawn games to the backdrop of the string quartet and indulge in a stunning array of sweet and savoury treats worthy of the ‘ Ton .
Tickets to take your place in society are available now priced at £ 65 per person .
www . broomepark . co . uk / whats-on
Niche Cocktail - New flavours for 2024 : Strawberry Daiquiri ( 250ml , 8 % ABV ) and Negroni ( 150ml , 14 % ABV ), from £ 15 . www . nichecocktails . co . uk
TAKE Tequila Liqueurs ( 34 % ABV , 70cl ), RRP £ 29.99 .
8 • www . insidekent . co . uk