Good Food  FOOD FOR THOUGHT


Mid Kent Living’s Dawn Kingsford runs her eye down the menus and meal plans of some of the Kent restaurants and pubs hitting the headlines…


Light bites


No Fixed Abode No Fixed Abode is an experimental pop- up restaurant offering seasonal tasting menus in amazing spaces across Kent. Menus are designed by head chef Will


Devlin, incorporating foraged and farmed ingredients from Kent, served in unusual settings.


The Curious Eatery


The girls at The Curious Eatery are celebrating a year since transforming the derelict Albion pub into one of the most imaginative places to eat in Kent. The stunning eatery brings together


With nearly 10 years’ experience in


some of the county’s most coveted Michelin/Rosette restaurants, including Thackerays at Tunbridge Wells; The Windmill, Hollingbourne; and Gordon Ramsay’s Pétrus restaurant in Knightsbridge, the 28-year-old’s dining experience is going from strength to strength. Will, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, and


his team will be serving next at the Old Fire Station in Tunbridge Wells on


August 25 and 26. He is always on the look-out for new venues to showcase his culinary talents. To book, or if you have a potential


place for his next pop-up restaurant, email will@nofixedabodepopups.com or call 07791746370.


Harrow Inn, Ulcombe After nearly 12 years without a village pub, The Harrow Inn at Ulcombe is back in business. John and Tracey Sinclair, the new


leaseholders, have cleared the cobwebs and are putting new life into the community hub. Currently open on Thursday and Friday from 5pm and all day at the


weekend, these hours will be extended from July to include all day Tuesday- Sunday. The pub offers gourmet sandwiches and snacks, with a full menu, including Sunday lunch and weekday specials, being introduced in July to coincide with the completion of the kitchen upgrade.


John said: “Local real ales are always


on tap as the Harrow Inn is a free house. “Come and check out our upcoming music events, quiz nights and the other cool stuff we have planned.”


Harrow, Stockbury There’s real excitement in Stockbury, where 144 villagers are about to sign a deal with Shepherd Neame to buy their local and turn it in to a community concern. The Harrow, off the A249 between Sittingbourne and Maidstone, will be


Curious Eatery image courtesy of John Stairns photograph


run for the benefit of the community. First on the to do list is to close it for a month for essential refurbishment. And in a DIY SOS, the community is calling on craftsmen to lend a helping hand. Chris


Porter said: “If you have time to spare from July 3,


or if you have access to low-cost or free building materials please let us know. In short supply are electricians and plumbers for the early phases of the work, but we also just need labour.” If you can help, for details email


stockburypub@gmail.com or visit www.theharrowstockbury.co.uk. The Harrow is expected to be back in business by early August, so pay a visit.


Mid Kent Living 31


Cordon Bleu-trained sisters Lesley (pictured left) and Nicole Parry (right) in a joint venture under one roof near Maidstone, after years of travelling their separate ways. Nicole (34) previously cooked aboard luxurious yachts on the Med and Lesley (28) was a personal chef. Indeed, Richard Branson was among those to wish them well when the sisters opened the doors on their new venture in Boughton Monchelsea last September. Lesley said: “We’ve both travelled a lot and wanted to bring these influences to the table – like an edible travel brochure. Nicole has just come back from her latest excursion and so Greek food features among our specials. “We just wanted to offer something


fresh, fun and quirky, but not ostentatious, and it seems to be working.” The well-travelled girls, who grew up


in Botswana, have kept a loyal band of staff who have accompanied them on this latest leg of their journey. Lesley said: “The wonderful staff at


the Curious Eatery feature in every single review on TripAdvisor, which is fantastic.” Diners can choose from coffee and


cake to light lunches – with a choice of nourishing or naughty bowls – breakfast on Friday and Saturday, roasts on Sunday and freshly-cooked evening meals on Friday and Saturday. Pssst… while you’re there, ask them about their secret supper club.


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