This might be the quickest blog I’ve ever written as I’ve just realised it’s Small Business Saturday! Typical me, I’ve been thinking about this blog for weeks and left it to the last minute – that’s what December is all about really though isn’t it?! Well don’t leave your foodie gift shopping to the last minute – here’s my Eat Around Tonbridge foodie gift guide (and unlike the mags, no one has paid to be in this list!).
Tag: TOFS
Beercause it’s ale for a great cause! (I know, terrible.)
Warning! This blog is not for the cynical – it’s very positive! Community spirit, creative people, generous businesses. But it does all start with a sad story.
“It only takes a minute girl”….well maybe 5…
Name that tune and artist!
Awards really help to boost a business – it’s recognition from patrons and peers; it spreads the word which helps to generate revenue for, not only the winner, but other local businesses too; and it’s just a good old fashioned pat on the back, a gold star for everyone involved in making those doors open every day.
What I’ve Learnt This Year
Firstly, thank you very much for such a positive reaction to last week’s blog. In light of the awful events this week, being kind seems all the more important so whether you spread the blog or not, at least just spread the message.
A leep of faith, 65mm Coffee, Tonbridge Old Fire Station
Yesterday Eat Around Tonbridge launched “Bring a friend February!” where you introduce a friend from near or far to somewhere new in Tonbridge. And why not 65mm coffee? Ensconced in The Old Fire Station, it receives rave reviews on social media, is always busy and many say serves ‘the best coffee in Tonbridge’. Tonbridge born David Leeper, the founder of 65mm alongside his partner Jade Derrick (65mm named as such because of their love of old films & picture houses), aren’t just chancing their luck. David knows his stuff; in fact he really knows his stuff. David at work- photo courtesy of Alma Photography @almaphotography “Consistency, skill, knowledge & passion” are what David says make 65mm coffee different & that sums up David too. David knows so much about coffee and his enthusiasm is infectious; he really wants to share his passion with customers. After working in FCB (the coffee chain with a branch next to Tonbridge station) where he’d fallen in love with coffee and learnt everything there is to know about it, including meeting the coffee farmers in Rwanda, he decided he needed to flex his coffee muscles – and there was his leap of faith. A chance conversation with Sam from TOFS and his venue was decided, he just needed equipment and coffee! As well as the great coffee, 65mm enjoys the luxury of a lovely, wide space, great for buggies and groups of friends. It serves delicious, salads and soups from Sulston’s Kitchen and specialises in offering allergy friendly cakes and treats from Eat ‘n’ Mess in Sevenoaks –there’s something for everyone. David is extremely welcoming and friendly – he prides himself on remembering your hot beverage of choice and can often be seen chatting to customers or amusing babies and children in the rare lulls. It’s only been a few months but David & Jade are relishing their position in Tonbridge and the reputation they’ve gained. David acknowledges how they’ve been accepted into the community with open arms and 65mm will be in Tonbridge for the foreseeable future. The future for them is looking bright…albeit black (with/without milk). If you take a friend to 65mm coffee for the first time, please take a pic and send it to me eatreviewer@gmail.com. The best ones will be published. (named due to their love of film and that is the size of the film reel in old school picture houses)
WFH – Will Edge, Greensand Ridge Distillery
Wow! What a 24 hours! If you’re still reeling, I promise there’ll be no mention of that election & especially not that man! Instead I’d like to introduce you to the Greensand Ridge brand, currently building a reputation for its gin. This gin has only been around for a few weeks but it’s already being talked about. Will Edge and his family have set up home in a beautiful 19th century coach house in Shipbourne with spectacular views over the Greensand Ridge. The stables have been transformed into part science lab, part bottling production line whilst maintaining some of their original character and, as the saying goes, ‘this is where the magic happens.’ The beautiful view from the courtyard over the Greensand Ridge. Will, originally from Sevenoaks, left the area in his youth to find his fortune but after working in London for quite a while, he decided that sitting behind a desk was for him no longer. He turned a hobby into something more by enrolling in a master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling after years of home brews and cider making. Now, let me tell you about the gin. I was served it neat and was, quite frankly, blown away, and I don’t mean by the alcohol content. It was amazing, the best gin I’ve ever tasted. (Listening to the interview, it’s quite amusing to hear my emphatic ‘WOW!’ when I taste it for the first time.) It’s made with eight botanicals that grow within a mile of the distillery including cobnuts, oak moss & gorse and seven traditional gin botanicals, including the essential juniper. It’s drinkable with a mixer or neat, unlike lots of other gins on the market (responsibly, of course!). There is a growing appetite for consumers to understand the provenance of their food and drink alongside an industry & consumer mission to reduce waste and the Greensand Ridge Distillery is keen to embrace both of these things. Like the spirits he creates, Will wants his brand to be transparent. “I’m trying to build an honest brand so that consumers know what they’re getting,” he tells me, “and I can do that as I have the still [the distilling apparatus], I don’t need to outsource anything.” He not only distills in-house but he also bottles, labels and distributes. He’s proud to be able to say that the only non-recyclable waste from his production line is the backing of the stickers that adorn the bottles – pretty impressive hey? And that isn’t the only way he recycles: ‘sustainability’ is a word that you hear Will use a lot and he is keen to support local farmers who have to contend with price squeezes and mounting competition. The Greensand Ridge ‘Raspberry Ghost’ schnapps is made from surplus raspberries and the barrel aged apple brandy* (apples fermenting as we speak) uses storm damaged apples deemed below par for the supermarkets – both fruits sourced from local farmers. Just as Will supports local, lots of local establishments are supporting him: Fuggles, TOFS, The Kentish Hare, The Wine Library and Gorgeous George are just some of the local places where you can support him to enjoy it yourself or buy some for home (it would make a great Christmas present!). And you can book now on the website to visit the distillery in the new year and create your own alcoholic tipple. So at a time when the world seems to be going mad, I heartily recommend pouring yourself a Greensand Ridge gin & tonic (Will recommends a gin: tonic ratio of 1:3) and taking some time out with friends. That’s what gets my vote. Will has kindly donated a prize to my “12 days of Feastmas” competition so keep liking and sharing Eat Around Tonbridge on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram as well as the website, to be in with a chance of winning a bottle! Greensand Ridge distillery can be found on Twitter on @GSRdistillery