Good Food
Take a butcher’s at the winners! T
he winners of the 2019 Taste of Kent awards saw the highly thought of Butcher’ Block in Burham walk away with two gongs.
Owners Simon and Joanna Rickwood, pictured, were “delighted” to pick up the award for the best Kent Dining Pub or Bistro of the Year.
Tey also collected top prize for excellence in customer service.
They received the awards at the fifteenth Taste of Kent Awards 2019 on March 7 at a black-tie dinner at the Kent Event Centre.
Kent’s ultimate food and drink champions have been crowned, from the
tastiest food and drink products, best producers, growers, restaurants, pubs and shops.
Event spokesman Stephanie Durling said: “Once again, we are delighted to see many new names making our finalist lists from across the county. Incredibly, we have seen 25% more businesses nominated and 40% more votes cast overall than last year. “The people of Kent have chosen the flavours, products, produce and venues they have enjoyed the most over the last 12 months. For the winners, these awards are the ultimate accolade from their customers and confirmation of their food and drink excellence.”
Hello to new gin palace
A new distillery is launching this summer in the heart of Maidstone with the aim of “reclaiming the legacy” of the county town’s local gin and spirits.
Te Maidstone Distillery Ltd is set to include a visitor centre, tour opportunities, a shop of spirits and merchandise, and in time a bar where customers can make their own spirits. It will be run by dad-of three Darren Graves, wife Sam and master distiller, Gerard Evans. Te new distillery will create botles of
locally produced gin, rum, vodka and whiskey using a 400 litre spirit still.
A very good free house in the country!
In a fierce market where only the best survive, the owners of one Kent pub appear to have the answer. Sharon Hodgson and Alan Bishop celebrate their third year at the Hook and Hatchet in June and are reaping the rewards of a massive personal and financial investment in the hospitality trade at a time when others are choosing to leave in their droves.
The isolated pub, with a chequered history, has had many owners, including a white witch, and stood empty for two years after Shepherd Neame called time, when a community buy-out seemed the only way to save it.
But, then, Sharon and Al came along. Having their own property restoration business, they were prepared for what they faced, backed by a little knowledge of running “a small local in sleepy old Norfolk many years ago”. Rebuilding the fortunes of the once popular pub at
Hucking has been an exciting challenge, with success resting on their talents as hosts.
“First, we gutted and refurbished the pub over a few months,” says Sharon, “and then we opened up. “Entertaining and socialising come naturally to us and nothing makes us happier than people feeling looked after, welcome and entertained.”
Together with an impressive team (pictured), including manager Keith Patching and head chef Rui, the freehouse offers Open Mic nights, live music, as well as a great place to gather and dine. Bordering on 573-acres of parkland and woods (owned by the Woodland Trust), its location is also pretty cool – with its own campsite. As well as attracting those by night, the day-time trade is helped by welcoming dogs, walkers and cycling groups - there’s even a place to tie your horse!
Darren said: “Maidstone had a very popular distillery for over 150 years, and we really want to give Maidstone its identity back.” “Te more we researched the more fired up and motivated we felt to re-claim this legacy for Maidstone, and add a new distillery rooted right in the heart of the community.
“Our vision for the property is that visitors will be able to learn about the heritage of distilling in Maidstone, and we have a number of interesting items which we will display. “We plan to open the distillery first, offering tours, and a shop, followed by the experiences. Once we’ve setled into production we will open the bar.”
Te location of the premises has not yet been revealed.
Mid Kent Living
Mid Kent Living 37
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