FOOD + DRINK
Sweets for my Sweet cont ...
Born from a passion for baking , this small business sees every loaf mixed and shaped by hand , with a focus on a slow fermentation for the ideal flavour and digestibility . Baked within a specialist brick oven , Annabel uses the very best organic flour from specialist millers alongside locally sourced honey , ale and homegrown herbs . Delivering over 100 loaves a week to the people of Sevenoaks , Annabel ’ s specialties include focaccia , rye and sourdough , though the menu changes weekly so it ’ s best to check online for stock updates . Locals and travellers alike can pre-order and collect their loaves from Riverhead ; a service available most Fridays .
MOST HIDDEN GEM … Mrs Sourdough , Chatham mrssourdoughbakery . co . uk
A bakery , patisserie and coffee shop located in the heart of Chatham , Mrs Sourdough is a haven of freshly baked cakes , sourdough bites and specialty coffee . Known for their traditionally-kneaded artisan bread , Mrs Sourdough pride themselves on using no artificial preservatives or flour improvers in their breadmaking process . With weekly special flavours such as sundried tomato and herb , cheese and caramelised onion or their classic seeded loaf , there are plenty of sourdough variations to try . For those with a sweet tooth , their chocolate cinnamon rolls and almond cream and blueberry danishes come highly recommended .
Founded by Kat in 2019 , her passion and creativity for real bread shines through at Mrs Sourdough , and customers praise the bakery as a hidden gem due to its high standards , fair prices and absolutely delicious products . With such a high demand from their loyal customers , Mrs Sourdough even has a Bread Club for members to collect their weekly sourdough loaf orders , where you can order ahead and receive a free loaf each month . Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30am , Mrs Sourdough is well worth a visit this February .
BEST CHOCOLATIERS … Madame Oiseau , Canterbury madame-oiseau . com
Making artisan chocolates since 2003 , Madame Oiseau is an independent chocolatier based in the King ’ s Mile , Canterbury - and you can ’ t miss it , because it ’ s purple . Originally founded in Romney Marsh by Sandrine May , Madame Oiseau ’ s chocolates became a quick success , with the shop relocating to Canterbury in 2005 . At the chocolate shop , each and every cocoa-based treat is handmade in small batches on a daily basis , using carefully selected ingredients .
There , customers will find gift boxes , bars and slabs , little bags as well as vegan-friendly chocolates for our plantbased friends to enjoy . Sandrine herself recommends the Escargot de Bourgogne in dark chocolate , and their best-sellers include fruit and nut slabs and dark orangettes . For a traditional and continental mix of chocolates , Madame Oiseau ’ s Medium Ballotin box is an excellent choice for gifting , featuring chocaholic favourites such as pralines , caramels , creams and ganaches . Using recipes rooted in French and Belgian traditions , Madame Oiseau ’ s fine chocolates should definitely be on your must-try list this 2025 .
MOST TRADITIONAL TREATS … Wilmshurst Bakery , Wingham wilmshurstbakery . co . uk
When you think of a Kentish bakery , you think of delicious homemade bread , cakes and savoury bites cooked freshly every day . At Wilmshurst Bakery , their reputation precedes themselves as one of the best bakeries in East Kent , with impeccable customer service and a warm , welcoming atmosphere . A family-run business founded in 1931 , visitors travel from all across the county to the bakery , enjoying their range of products from loaves of bread to Bakewells and pies , each of which are baked in their 100-year-old Jones steam tube oven .
Most traditional of all their treats is the Kentish Huffkin , a soft roll dimpled in the middle by a baker ’ s thumb , traditionally eaten with cherries , jam and cream . Often served warm with savoury fillings , guests of Wilmshurst Bakery can enjoy this Kent-born specialty at their location in Wingham , a village that ’ s just a short drive from the historic city of Canterbury .
BEST FUDGE SHOP … Fudge Kitchen , Canterbury fudgekitchen . co . uk
Located on the cobbled walkway of Canterbury ’ s Sun Street , Fudge Kitchen is a sanctuary of one of the world ’ s most renowned sweet shop favourites : fudge . Originally created in the United States during the 17th century , fudge is a dessert bar made from sugar , butter and milk that ’ s softer than hard caramels , yet equally addictive . Making life sweeter one batch at a time , Fudge Kitchen has a vision to create the most delicious handmade products in the world , with a history of over 40 years in the business . From fudge and toffee to caramel and honeycomb , their six UK shops have become a household name for confectionery , and there ’ s a good reason why . With all natural ingredients and no preservatives , they have certainly mastered their fudge ’ s signature smoothness , with each piece firm on the outside yet soft and creamy in the centre .
MADAME OISEAU FUDGE KITCHEN www . insidekent . co . uk • 65