STEADY HANDS AND SHARP MINDS: KENT’ S
FEMALE FOOD FOUNDERS
Jo
FOOD + DRINK
Fabulously Fed & Fed on the Green, Bearsted fabulouslyfed. com / fedonthegreen. com
ALICE BUSSI
NATALIA RIBBE
Established by talented chef and Masterchef runner-up Emily Hale, Fabulously Fed was born from a lifelong love of convivial gatherings centred around dishes made with oodles of heart and care. Today, it’ s a flourishing catering company working across Kent and beyond, delivering wonderfully crafted food for celebratory, sharing-style dining.
Fast gaining a reputation for its locally sourced feasts and memorable dining experiences, Emily went on to fulfill another long-held ambition with the same community-focused ethos. In April 2023, she opened Fed on the Green in Bearsted- a fiercely local café with the same fabulous flair, taking shape within a welcoming neighbourhood hub serving dishes designed to nourish both body and soul.
Drawing on years of travel and a deep appreciation for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, Emily’ s menus are vibrant and filled with favourites. From loaded Fed Bowls, such as a spiced shakshuka and mouthwatering Turkish eggs, to devilishly good pancakes and French toast- all rounded off with top-notch speciality coffee and perfectly mixed cocktails. Set to launch this month, Fed on the 9th joins the fabulous family, bringing the much-loved Fed philosophy to Bearsted Golf Club.
The Fordwich Arms, Fordwich fordwicharms. co. uk
Nestled next to the pretty River Stour in Fordwich, England’ s smallest town, The Fordwich Arms is another of the Garden of England’ s shining stars, having scooped up an impressive collection of well-deserved accolades including a Michelin star and AA Rosettes.
The delightful pub, with its 1930’ s bar and oak-panelled dining room, was taken on by Daniel and Natasha Smith in 2017, who brought with them a shared love for seasonality and attention to detail that has resulted in exquisite menus celebrating the very best of Kentish ingredients, sourced directly from local farms and producers.
Alongside Dan’ s accomplished yet approachable cooking style, pastry chef and co-owner Natasha brings a formidable expertise of her own, with her experience including working at Kent’ s acclaimed Chapter One, heading up the pastry kitchen at the Michelin-starred One Leicester Street, and being appointed one of the head pastry chefs at prestigious London events company, Rocket.
STEADY HANDS AND SHARP MINDS: KENT’ S
FEMALE FOOD FOUNDERS
Running a food business is rarely glamorous. It’ s early starts, long hours, big decisions- and a to-do list that regenerates faster than the speed of light.
Still, across Kent, more and more women are carving out their own place in the industry. Some are building family legacies. Others are starting from scratch, at their own kitchen tables.
Take Sally, who turned her catering experience into Simply Ice Cream, now sold nationally. Or Jenny the Hunton Baker- once a hobbyist, now baking her way into Kentish hearts( and shops) one crusty loaf at a time.
Sisters Alex and Hannah are putting their own stamp on a fourth-generation farm, adding a thriving farm shop and weekend coffee spot to the family business at Myatts of Mockbeggar in Cliffe. Their work blends continuity and change- and plenty of graft.
In Broadstairs, chef and social entrepreneur Kanndiss is developing allergy-friendly sauces and pies for PRIME EATS with the support of Kent’ s new Innovation Kitchen at The Yarrow. For her, food is personal, but it’ s also practical; a way to bring people together, create change and build a business that gives back.
What these women share isn’ t just talent, it’ s resilience. They’ ve stepped into leadership roles with quiet confidence, responding to the needs they see around them: customers craving better ingredients, families managing allergies and rural communities looking for great coffee and good company.
They’ re not chasing headlines, but they are making a difference- in small ways that add up, bite by bite, loaf by loaf, scoop by scoop.
They’ re also proving what many of us already know: if you want something done properly, ask a woman with an apron, a spreadsheet and a vision.
Jo
JO GURR MARKETING MANAGER producedinkent. co. uk producedinkent
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© Joe Lang www. insidekent. co. uk • 77