Home   What's On   News   Article

Whitstable Food Festival, WhitFood, brings well known chefs and events to town

It’s featured in many a tale of dastardly deeds, but now the fictional Whitstable Pearl is to come to life.

The restaurant is the eaterie that features in local author Julie Wassmer’s bestselling crime novels.

For the opening night of the second Whitstable Food Festival on Thursday, October 4, the Samphire restaurant in Whitstable High Street - Julie’s inspiration for her restaurant, which features in books including Disappearance at Oare - will be transformed into the Whitstable Pearl with a menu inspired by the dishes in her books and short readings by Julie to accompany each course.

Whitstable's restaurants and venues will open their doors for the second food festival
Whitstable's restaurants and venues will open their doors for the second food festival

The festival, which runs from Thursday, October 4 to Sunday, October 7, will see some of the UK’s best-loved chefs coming together to celebrate the very best food and drink.

WhitFood celebrates the best Kent produce, restaurants and home grown talent. Talks and restaurant events feature chefs including Stephen Harris, Dan Smith, and Chantelle Nicholson as well as a fascinating foodie book talks from Marte Marie Forsberg, Francine Raymond, Charlie Pye Smith, Lizzie Collingham, and Laura Freeman.

A one-off tasting menu will take place at Wheelers on Saturday, October 6 with a headline chef taking a course along with Mark Stubbs, head chef at the oyster bar which has graced the High Street for more than 150 years.

Whitstable author Julie Wassmer's fictional restaurant will come to life Picture: Andy Jones
Whitstable author Julie Wassmer's fictional restaurant will come to life Picture: Andy Jones

Local hero Stephen Harris of The Sportsman will kick off proceedings with a fish course, using his extensive knowledge of the marshes, the beach and the seasons to create a memorable course. Head Chef at Canterbury’s Fordwich Arms, Dan Smith, will then take the meat course with Chantelle Nicholson of London’s Tredwells providing a Wheelers desert working with Kentish orchards. To book in advance call 01227 273311.

On Friday, October 5, Samphire is also hosting a Made in Kent evening, designed to celebrate Kentish home-grown talent and local produce, hosted by head chef Grieg Hughes, who will oversee courses from Dan Harris, Stephen Harris, and the team from Rocksalt in Folkestone. This will consist of one sitting. To book visit samphirewhitstable.co.uk

For more details of all the events on offer over the four days, and how to book, visit whitfood.co.uk

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More