Jo’s Blog: Welcome to Feast-ival Season

Choose from chilled vineyard evenings to sizzling BBQs, local cider on tap to seaside street food, there’s a feast-ival happening near you – and most of them come with actual toilets and fewer wasps.

Over in Faversham, Macknade is running a full summer schedule of live music and tasting events, plus the resident businesses in the Food Village will be serving cocktails and street food throughout. Woolton Farm in Bekesbourne is another summer hotspot, with wood-fired pizza, wine and cider served in their thatched barn bar, plus live music, camping and glamping options if you want to make a weekend of it.

Folkestone Harbour Arm is buzzing every weekend, with food, drink, and independent traders– including our very own Produced in Kent hut in the Marketplace, showcasing different businesses every weekend. You’ll also find members and foodie favourites like Finns Deli and Gilda Bakery, Folkestone Distillery and Wayfarer Wines in their own huts.

If you prefer your summer sipping in a beer garden, check out Goody Ales in Herne for traditional real ales and live events in their taproom, or head to Halling where Moot Brew’s taproom hosts regular food vans in their sun-trap yard. Musket Brewery in Maidstone has a busy calendar too, from beer festivals to BBQs – a proper laid-back local vibe.

For family-friendly outings, Brogdale in Faversham is a great shout. Their Pick Your Own days run through the summer, and their annual Cider Festival at the end of August is always a crowd-pleaser.

There’s loads more going on, too – from pop-ups and farm tours to cookery classes and produce markets. Most of Kent’s vineyards have tastings and tours in full swing, and plenty of members are popping up at markets and events across the county.

Ready to plan your summer feast-ival adventure? Head to the events page on the Produced in Kent website: www.producedinkent.co.uk/events

And if you’re travelling in, Southeastern trains are a great way to explore Kent’s food scene without the stress of parking (or arguing over who’s driving home).