Whisper it quietly in France, but there is a growing opinion among local foodies that Kent now offers better restaurants with more creative chefs, and superior markets selling higher quality meat, fish and vegetables, than they do across the Channel.
That message was underlined when Kent Life magazine and Kent On Sunday held their first-ever Food & Drink Awards. The presentation evening, held at The Tudor Park, Bearsted earlier this month, brought together Kent’s top food and drink personalities to celebrate the county’s rapidly burgeoning reputation.
As the awards were presented, winner after winner reported that business was good, and getting better, demonstrating that forensic attention to quality always means more customers.
Local honours went to Graham Garrett of Biddenden’s West House restaurant as Chef of the Year, while Cranbrook Farmers’ Market was shortlisted in the Farmers’ Market of the Year category.
Who knows? While thousands of Brits board the ferries and Le Shuttle to France to stock up on goodies for Christmas, next year the tide could be turned, and Kent could be rolling out the ‘Bienvenue’ mat to French visitors!
