Curiously Kentish Delicatessen & Cafe

Curiously Kentish was formed by two super enthusiastic chefs, who began to explore old cooking and food preservation techniques. Freedman and Faux started making their own charcuterie and smoked foods five years ago for the restaurant they were then working in. They gained such a reputation that they wanted an outlet to sell their produce to the general public, so they opened a great delicatessen and café in Minnis Bay.

What's in a name? Well the Kentish bit speaks for itself and the Curiously references two things: cure, as in the curing of foods in preservation; but also in that these guys like to add curious twists to the dishes they offer. They make amazing sausage rolls using only the finest Kentish pork and fresh all-butter puff pastry, as well as some rather marvellous Scotch eggs and curious Scotch eggs (a pickled egg, wrapped in sausage meat with home-cured bacon and Kentish cheese). They produce wonderful sandwiches or 'manwiches' as they are becoming known as locally, and outstanding breakfasts, which are offered all day and include home-smoked salmon, home-treacle-cured bacon, traditional homemade sausages and truly delightful homemade black pudding.

Once a month The Freedman & Faux Supper Club is held - there are only four tables, so you book a seat not a table. These nights encourage diners to be sociable and eat in the way our European cousins do. Freedman and Faux cook the food that they want to cook and most guests don't bother to ask what's on the menu, so confident are they in this duo. These nights are booked up a couple of months in advance, so if you want a seat, you'd better make a reservation. It's usually priced at around £25 for five courses with some wine thrown in. The team are also undertaking outside catering and some festival work this year, and Curiously Kentish Delicatessen & Café is available for private parties up to 20 guests.