STORY- FOOD & DRINK NEWS
FOOD + DRINK
STUDENT-RUN THE VIEW RESTAURANT NAMED BEST IN TONBRIDGE
A student-run restaurant at North Kent College has taken the top spot on TripAdvisor, being ranked the number one restaurant in Tonbridge out of 93 venues.
SIMPLY ICE CREAM SCOOPS TOP HONOUR AT THE GOLDEN SCOOP AWARDS
Kent-based artisan producer, Simply Ice Cream, is celebrating a double win at the prestigious Golden Scoop Awards, organised by the Ice Cream Alliance- the UK’ s leading trade body dedicated to supporting and growing the ice cream industry for over 80 years.
Simply Ice Cream was awarded 4 stars for its Brown Bread ice cream in the UK’ s Best Innovative Ice Cream category, alongside 3 stars for its Stem Ginger & Marmalade ice cream for the UK’ s Best Flavour Ice Cream.
The Golden Scoop Awards recognises excellence across the industry, celebrating the very best products from artisan makers through to large-scale producers.
England’ s leading wine producer, Chapel Down, has announced a multi-year partnership as the official English sparkling wine of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The partnership brings together two leading British organisations united by a shared commitment to craftsmanship, quality and broadening access to exceptional cultural experiences with Chapel Down served at the orchestra’ s principle concerts. The collaboration will also include a programme of joint events, hospitality and experiences designed to enhance the audience’ s enjoyment of live performances.
Founded over 20 years ago by Sally Newall, Simply Ice Cream began in her kitchen, born out of demand for her now iconic Heavenly Honeycomb ice cream. Today, the business has grown into a large-scale production site on the outskirts of Ashford, supplying over 450 outlets across Kent, London and the South East. Each of its 30 flavours is still hand-whisked and hand-potted using only the finest ingredients, with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.
“ We are absolutely delighted to receive this recognition from the Ice Cream Alliance,” said owner, Sally.“ The Brown Bread flavour has always been very special to us, so to see it celebrated like this is incredibly rewarding. It’ s a testament to our team’ s passion for quality and craftsmanship.”
CHAPEL DOWN IN SPARKLING PARTNERSHIP WITH ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
“ We are proud to partner with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in its 80th anniversary year,” said Liam Newton, chief marketing officer at Chapel Down.“ Our organisations share a commitment to craftsmanship and creativity, making this a natural collaboration. The partnership provides a powerful platform to showcase our English sparkling wines to a broad and culturally engaged audience, while enhancing the experience for concertgoers through memorable moments of celebration and hospitality.”
Based at the college’ s Tonbridge campus, The View Restaurant is entirely operated by students from its Catering Academy, offering diners highquality food, professional service and exceptional value, all while helping train the next generation of hospitality leaders.
North Kent College offers an exceptional range of technical, professional and land-based courses designed to prepare students for successful careers or further study. Students benefit from industry-experienced tutors, strong employer partnerships and hands-on learning in real-world environments.
The View is an entirely modern dining space with panoramic views across the Kent countryside, creating a unique experience that continues to impress visitors.
Students are responsible for every aspect of the restaurant, from preparing and cooking dishes to delivering front-of-house service. All activity is supported and supervised by experienced industry professionals, ensuring students remain consistently high.
“ What makes The View so special is that every meal supports the development of future chefs and hospitality professionals,” said Steven Parks, lecturer at North Kent College.“ To be ranked number one in Tonbridge is a real milestone and something our whole college community can be proud of.”.
Marking its 80th anniversary this year, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is committed to making orchestral music accessible to all, with a diverse programme of performances across the UK and internationally. From major London venues to global tours, the orchestra remains at the forefront of British cultural life.
For Chapel Down, this partnership forms part of its growing portfolio of collaborations with leading national institutions, showcasing English sparkling wine to a wider audience. www. insidekent. co. uk • 125