Taste Kent Magazine

This weekend sees the return of the Wealden Literary Festival at Boldshaves Garden near Woodchurch, a festival of nature, creativity and local produce. The Festival will feature some of our foremost writers, as well as creative workshops and food and drink from Wasted Kitchen Simply Ice Cream Woodchurch Vineyard and many more.

Check out what's on here:
https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2023/05/22/wealden-festival-2023-a-festival-of-nature-creativity-and-local-produce/

In the town of Sittingbourne, Kent, two long-standing farming families have joined forces to start a new vertical farming venture and realise their ambition to reach Net Zero by blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology powered by solar panels.

The vertically farmed produce, grown and sold under the Ro-Gro brand , will be distributed via electric vehicle into the local area.

Read all about it by clicking the link in our bio.

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Kent food business wins four golds at health food awards! 😀

Local food entrepreneur, , has won four golds at the 2022 Nourish Awards, for their innovative cultured cookies made from fermented fruits and nuts.

Read all about it by clicking the link in our bio.

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Off the beaten track and nestled amongst impressive country properties, The Rose Inn is your quintessential English pub and Kent’s Best Kept Secret.

Read our Taste Kent review by clicking the link in the bio.



           

Looking for a weekend lunch spot to kickback and relax in? We have just the thing!

The Ferry House on the Isle of Sheppey has some treats in store for you on their new Small Plates Menu, featuring an abundance of mouth-watering, fresh produce from their kitchen garden.

Read our Taste Kent review here:https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/07/07/from-plot-to-plate-introducing-the-new-lunch-menu-at-the-ferry-house/

Here's to delicious things this weekend!

Whether you like running, wine, beautiful scenery or all three, we’ve found the perfect event for you. The Gusbourne Run, which is proudly sponsored by trusted insurance provider NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden and Whitfield, takes place on Sunday 24th of July.

Organised by Sporting Events UK, the run offers two distances of either 5k or 10k, both held in the unique and idyllic setting of the Gusbourne’s 60-hectare Appledore Estate, where competitors will run amongst the vines. The hills and off-road terrain are more than justified with wine tastings along the way, and the mini event village with space to relax and view the vineyards after the event, is something to keep running for. All runners will get to taste Gusbourne’s award-winning sparkling wine, so you need to be over 18 to take part.

Find out how to enter here: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/06/16/take-a-run-through-the-gusbourne-grapevines-with-the-nfu-mutual-ashford-tenterden-whitfield-team/ and read more about how the NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield team are raising funds for Kent children's charity Dandelion Time.

Summer is almost upon us and we are excited to hear that there's a new cool dining spot in the county. Perfect for alfresco dining and drinking with friends and family, Woolton Farm nr Bekesbourne, Cantebury has launched The Saffa Bru at Woolton offering two delicious 😋 new Brunch and BBQ menus.

The farm's 14th Century historic Kentish Tithe Barn now features a new outdoor BBQ kitchen, in addition to the bar, shop and café. Set in its own fruit garden at the centre of Woolton Farm, the vineyard, cidery and a host of accommodation options are just a short walk away. You can even stay over in one of their gorgeous bell tents nestled in the fruit gardens. Dreamy 🥰

Check out the full story here: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/06/13/introducing-the-saffa-bru-at-woolton-a-new-dining-experience-in-a-stunning-venue/

Calling all beer lovers 🍻and history buffs! This one is for you.

Some of the Taste Kent team visited the Shepherd Neame brewery for a fascinating tour of Britain's oldest brewer and beer 🍻tasting.

Find out what they got up to by reading our review on the Taste Kent website - click on the link: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/05/20/taste-kentish-ales-and-join-the-flock-on-a-shepherd-neame-brewery-tour/

Cheers 🍻

Fantastic evening celebrating the best of food and drink across Kent! Congratulations to for organising such an incredible event!

If like us you’re a bit lastminute.com then you probably haven’t yet got round to buying any Easter treats for loved ones? If not, fear not! Macknade have some wonderful gifts and activities on offer, click the link in our bio to find out more.

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Not sure what to buy this Easter? Have a read of our 'Five of the Best Confectioners' article to get some delicious ideas. 🍫

Still struggling to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift? Macknade have some delicious hampers to treat all mothers. Find out more here: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/03/08/still-struggling-to-find-a-mothers-day-gift-look-no-further/

Help spread the word about an incredible new App to help redistribute surplus food from food and drink businesses to those in need. Tell your local pub, coffee shop or favourite restaurant about Food Loop UK. Created by 's No Food Wasted Forum, they are looking for local food businesses to sign up.

Find out more in our Taste Kent article here: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/03/04/have-you-heard-about-the-new-app-for-kent-food-businesses-tackling-food-waste-heres-how-you-can-help-spread-the-word/

Only 3 days left to vote for your favourite Kent food and drink businesses in the Taste of Kent Awards!⏰
Voting closes on Monday 28th February so you’ve got until then to get your vote in and support your favourite local producers.

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Five of Kent's Best... fish restaurants! From cafes to fine dining, we are surrounded by delicious fish in Kent, so we thought we'd do a round up of a few of our favourites! 😊🐟

Click the link to read the article: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/02/16/2270/

Five of Kent's Best... is a new Taste Kent feature... next up we'll be rounding up Kent- based chocolate makers, just in time for Easter - let us know your favourites in the comments below.

📸: Taste Kent Magazine

What are your plans for the weekend?

If you're looking for something new to discover, then we've just the thing. Take a trip down to Tenterden for a wander and treat yourself to a cake and coffee from , a stunning new patisserie and bakery that's a joint venture between renowned pastry chef Chris Underwood and Graham Garrett from .

Find out more in our New Flavours Review here: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2022/02/11/new-flavours-artisserie-tenterden/

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Have you heard of any new openings, restaurants, pubs, cafes or foodie shops in the area? Heard about a new food and drink biz on the grapevine? Perhaps you are about to have a grand opening yourself? 🍽

We are introducing a regular new openings feature and we want to hear all about the latest places to go for Taste Kent Magazine. Tag us with your best suggestions. 📍

They say that “cooking is love made visible”, so lots of us will be planning a romantic dinner for two for this Valentine’s Day. With many choosing to cook steak – it's the day when the most steak is cooked – it's just the drinks and dessert to sort out! 🍽

At Taste Kent, when it comes to pud, we think something chocolatey is hard to beat. From the dependable yet delicious brownie to a melt (their heart) in the middle affair – lavish with cherries for a Kentish touch! 🍒

For sipping, a pink fizz or pink gin cocktail could be just the ticket or if you want something a bit more wow and original then check out Kent’s own Wild Box Events four cocktail beauties. Impress your date with a choice of Blood Orange Margarita, a Toffee Espresso Martini, a Rose Drop Gin or a Kent Old Fashioned. 🍸

If time is of the essence, head over to Macknade and order their three course Valentine’s Day Recipe Box – Fillet Steak included!

Happy Valentine’s Feasting!❤️

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One of our favourite places Macknade has some exciting news! Macknade has joined forces with Sustainable Wine Solutions from Borough Wines to bring sustainable wine options to Macknade, starting with a bottle deposit scheme, coming to the Macknade Ashford and Faversham stores! 🍾
Customers can bring back their bottle to refill in store with a choice of wine labels from independent and ethical winemakers. Head down to Macknade Faversham at 12pm this Saturday where you’ll be able to sample some of the many wines available from the Sustainable Wine Solutions range! Find out more about this initiative here: https://macknade.com/blogs/news/rethink-how-you-drink

📸: Macknade Ashford Instagram

Kentish Food for Thought: Did you know that the sandwich was invented in Kent❓ Named after Lord John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich! What Kentish food facts do you know?🤔 Share them in the comments below.🖊

Love your leftovers ❤

If like us, you still have some festive food lurking in the freezer and the store cupboard, Produced in Kent has some ideas on using up leftovers.
Take a look at their top tips by clicking the link: https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2021/11/09/love-your-leftovers-with-produced-in-kents-monthly-tips-from-the-change-one-thing-campaign-2/

New Year’s Eve is on…. and if you’re looking for some expert advice on creating picture perfect cocktails for your New Year’s Eve party tonight, Taste Kent has you covered.

Kent’s own masters of mixology, Jon and Dan from The Thirsty Farrier have shared some of their top tips. From just the right amount of foam to nailing your presentation, check out their pro tips for your best NYE cocktails ever:
https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2021/12/29/pro-tips-for-your-best-nye-cocktails-ever/

Cheers to a Happy New Year, full of delicious Kentish food and drink!

Have you got your turkey order in yet? Make it a with these turkeys from Macknade
https://www.tastekent.co.uk/2021/12/15/a-kentish-christmas-deserves-a-quality-kentish-turkey/

Day 15 of our and we are stopping by near Tenterden. Chapel Down is a world leader when it comes to sparkling wines, they have boxed bottles perfect for gifting as well as tours and experiences for a unique experiential gift.
We are challenging everybody to take the challenge and shop local this Christmas.

It's Day 14 of our 30 Days of Christmas, where we're encouraging everyone to take the Buy 5 challenge and shop local this Christmas.

Whether you're searching for a lovely Secret Santa gift or something special for a loved one, when it comes to beautiful homeware and womenswear we challenge you to walk out of independent boutique . 3 in Lenham without something in your shopping bag!

There's a host of gift ideas for under £10 - choose from candles, soap, luxury chocolate, organic local coffee - or treat yourself or a loved one to a Merino blend scarf from Project AJ117 or a new frock from one of their carefully selected designers. For the foodie in your life, upgrade their festive cheeseboard by investing in a marble platter and cheese knives or add to their coffee cup collection.

It's an Aladdin cave of carefully curated beautiful things and a lovely place to do some Christmas shopping. Don't miss No.3 at the Wealden Midwinter Fair (18th - 20th November).

Day 13 of our 30 Days of Christmas spotlighting local producers, artisans and retailers to support the Buy 5 Produced in Kent Challenge.

Be the envy of your neighbours and make your own stunning Christmas wreath for your front door. Here are just some of the festive wreathmaking masterclasses that are available to book throughout the county:
Frasers in Egerton is holding several workshops during the first two weeks of December.
Blooming Green Linton, nr Maidstone is running three workshops at the end of November / beginning of December.
has three dates for workshops in Whitstable during December.

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Last night was the launch of the Taste of Kent Awards 2022 at the new Produced in Kent store in Bluewater. It's THE place to shop locally this Christmas with so many local brands under one roof.

Day 12 of our 30 days of Christmas countdown is all about Produced in Kent and the amazing members it supports.

Why not strive to help local businesses thrive this Christmas and join in with the BUY 5 campaign by Produced in Kent. Aim to buy at least five locally produced gifts this Christmas.

Its day 11 of our 30 Days of Christmas challenge and today we are shouting out Hush Heath Winery, one of England’s most respected and renowned wineries, based in the heart of Kent.

Why not Indulge this Christmas with the delicious Hush Heath Balfour Christmas Hamper containing local cheese and charcuterie as well as mouth-watering Kentish chocolates, and of course Balfour wines!

The Hush Heath Estate are also hosting a Christmas Shopping Evening on the 25th of November which can be booked online and is free to attend. Pop down for a relaxed evening of festivities including Christmas Carols, mince pies, and Balfour wine, we certainly will! 🌲⛄

Day 10 of our showcasing the best of food and drink on our doorstep and supporting the Buy 5 Challenge.

This one is not so much a gift to others, more a gift to yourself, why not take the stress out of the big day and instead book in for the Christmas menu at this year. Enjoy a 3-course traditional Christmas Dinner with friends or family without all the prep, cooking and washing up. Isn't it always more tasty when someone else does the hard work?

It wouldn't be Christmas without indulging in a good portion of cheese so for day 9 of our challenge we are eyeing up a whole Kingcott Blue from , a creamy blue cheese perfect for the cheeseboard this Christmas.
We are showcasing the incredible producers on our doorstep here in Kent and supporting the Buy 5 challenge.