Why ‘A Kentish Kitchen’?
For starters, I was born here, to parents who themselves had spent most of their lives in the county, as had their own parents. My childhood was punctuated with long walks in the leafy havens of the North Downs and the Weald, springtime meanders through shimmering bluebell woods, and summertime outings to the bracing beaches of north Kent – and, of course, by food.
In days long before our current obsession with provenance, much of our sustenance came from the garden or the local market. And when the season allowed, our kitchen table bore the fruits – often quite literally – of enthusiastic foraging and pick-your-own missions. What we couldn’t grow or buy, we often harvested from my grandparents’ garden.
My grandparents, having lived through two World Wars, were prolific and skilful gardeners, and I now look back in wonderment at the huge range of vegetables, salad stuffs, and fruits that they grew. I spent many a happy hour wandering in and out of rows of thriving foliage, inhaling the fantastic scents, and plucking off more than the occasional plump fruit along the way.
Mealtimes were simple but fulsome, and embraced the seasons. Rich stews, roasts, and hefty puddings saw us through the winters, while the long summers were all about picnics of cold cuts, 70s’ salads, cheery trifles and cheek-sucking homemade lemonade. Treats, back then, came in the form of Penguin and Club biscuits, 99 ice creams, Golden Wonder crisps, Nesquik, and Nan’s cakes. And I’ll never forget, either, the all-too-rare trips to a brash newcomer in town, Wimpy, at which I’d hoover up egg, chips, and liquid nectar – a glass of Coca-Cola. Heady days.
As my childhood gave way to early adulthood, university and then my chosen career path took me far away from Kent. During those years, the Garden of England lost vast swathes of its green acres, as the irresistible onslaught of progress cut concrete motorways and yet more rail lines across its centre. Centuries-old villages, like those in which my father spent his boyhood, all but disappeared in the face of burgeoning housing developments and retail parks.
Thankfully, however, much of Kent remains untouched. I know, because I’m finally back here again, and living in one of those ancient villages myself. Better still, I’m thrilled to see around me a real pride in local produce and a thriving food ‘scene’. Most of the meat, vegetables, and fruit I buy comes from the fields and orchards within a five-mile radius of my front door. Farm shops and real farmers’ markets proliferate, and neighbourly swaps of homegrown foodstuffs are commonplace. We also benefit from locally-shot game, while verdant hedgerows supplement the wild food larder.
This, then, is my Kentish Kitchen – a kitchen rooted firmly in its surroundings, my own heritage, the odd nod to nostalgia, and my ongoing fascination with the quirky and novel. You’ll find here not only the foods for which Kent is best known, but also some long-forgotten goodies and intriguing newcomers – from Garden through Kentish Kitchen to table. Welcome, and dig in!
I love your style. I was just transported in time reading the above.
Vanessa
Love the pics + the prose! Reading your “about” I felt all nostalgic. Sounds like happiness = localism. Mx
Congratulations. A great little site, full of enthusiasm and dedication to the Garden of England. And what amazing photos!
What a fabulously descriptive introduction to your blog. Your childhood sounds just idyllic. Must be just wonderful to be back in Kent.
Look forward to future postings! BTW are you a professional photographer?
Hi there,
I hope you are well.
I have seen your grilled sardines, orange and red onion salad recipe (which looks delicious) and thought you might be interested in something that I am currently working on.
Kerrygold have teamed up with Rachel Allen and are producing their very first community cookbook – asking all aspiring chefs to upload their recipes. The winners will have their recipes featured in the book alongside some recipes from Rachel.
I see that you have a lot of great recipes on your blog and thought you might be interested in uploading one of your own recipes or encouraging your foodie readers to enter themselves.
Kerrygold have some great products that they have released recently – one of them called Honey Spread which is great for adding that something extra to recipes. Let me know if you would be interested in using it in a recipe and I can send a sample for you to try.
Do let me know if this is of interest to you, I have some more information I can send you along with some fantastic recipes and imagery.
All the best,
Leanne
Goodness me you make me hungry and homesick all in one go!………
Just love the recipes and posts ……… & as Maid of Kent who would love to come home I envy you greatly……… =) S
I absolutely love your blog, even while I totally envy your life (because it is not mine). Beautiful photos, wonderful use of what’s fresh and local, and a real treat to read; you have knack for putting your reader in the moment.
That sounds amazingly like my youth – including the grandparents (and parents) who grew so much of their food. As a Maid of Kent living back in the County again myself I shall enjoy working through your posts
Hi I saw your messages about the kentfood tweet up in March on twitter. As you don’t follow me back I was unable to DM you on there.
I would like to do a piece on my weekly radio show about this event as it sounds really interesting.
If you are interested please email details to bunker@kentbusinessradio.co.uk
Thanks
Paul
Hello there. This is very nice, indeed, but i can’t help wodnering why you don’t give your name anywhere or tell us who you are? Most intrigued!
Best
Louise
Excellent website for all those interested in Kentish food – visit our website http://www.kentishstores.co.uk and you’ll see how Tom and I are doing our bit to bring the best Kentish produce to our friends !
Keep up the good work!
Nigel Shaw
Kentish Stores.
That’s a beautifully written piece but please, more photographs!
What a great ‘About’ section!
I was swept back in time reading this. You have a great way of writing.
Dan