Go see! Bangers & Balls Supper Club

Take a magical fun-filled feasting adventure in the Enchanted Forest (yes really!) with supper-club tastic hosts, Bangers and Balls!

It’s not often you an email from Dame Washalot, from the land of Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree, asking you to join her on a magical fun-filled feasting adventure in the Enchanted Forest so when the clever and creative team at Bangers and Balls got in touch with that invite, we could hardly resist! 

THE LOWDOWN

First up, let us give you the beef about Bangers and Balls. They are Supper-Club-tastic hosts who have created foodie-led events across Kent and East Sussex over the past year where you have to hunt down your first canape of the evening with a series of mystical and magical clues along the way followed by a series of seriously good food courses. Talk about working hard for your dinner…! 

Bangers and Balls is run by husband and wife team, Duncan and Imogen Tinkler, who are truly passionate about seasonal produce and using as much of the food that is easily accessible around you. Although not having a typical chef-trained background, Duncan was raised within a foodie family and has been cooking from a very young age and loves the buzz from creating innovative and quirky dishes using the best of local produce. Imogen, has a marketing background, and is responsible for bringing these fun supper club themes to life.

THE VIBE

This Supper Club was set in beautiful Yew Tree Farm School in Bredgar, just outside Sittingbourne, so the theme was relaxed and rustic and you were encouraged (by Dame Washalot no less) in an email beforehand to bring wellies and BYO. As we arrived, twinkly lights adorned many of the trees and we started our adventure in the Land of Magical Medicines with a glass of fizz and an additional syringe concoction (it was tastier than it sounds) to give it a little kick!

THE EXPERIENCE

Once your mysterious cocktail was in hand, you are encouraged to follow clues around The Enchanted Wood space to seek out your first canape of the evening and thankfully the wellies were worn as we stomped our way around the farm feeding pygmy goats along the way as well as freshly grown spinach for the pigs. There was even a Saucepan Man in attendance so the whole Enid Blyton experience was brought to life. My friend and I arrived a little later than the appointed time of 6.30 so it was getting dark, but this just gave us a good excuse to snort with laughter as we tripped our way around the trail. 

Once the first canape was discovered hanging from a brand (beautifully herbed mushrooms served in a little glass jar hanging from The Enchanted Tree above you), it was time to head the candlelit barn for the full foodie experience. Due to Covid-19 regulations, you can choose from tables of six, four or two and the food is introduced to you at each course by Chef Duncan. A particular highlight was the Picnic Hamper starter which was packed full of homemade picnic treats such as Moonface’s Marmalade Scotch Egg with Pumpkin hot sauce as well as Mr. Watziname’s Game Terrine with a Hedgerow sauce – just as Jo, Bessie and Fanny would have enjoyed back in the day! Special brownie points should also go to our pudding – The Topsy Turvy Breakfast where Earl Grey custard was served from a tea pot and poured over beer candied bacon, boozy French Toast, sweet ketchup aka raspberry jam and a Custard Cream crumb. 

And just when you thought you couldn’t eat anymore; you are presented with the world’s largest marshmallow on a skewer to heat up over the bonfire outside. There was a chance at times to do some socially distanced mingling with the other guests, but it was lovely to use the occasion to just catch up with my friend over a series of very novel dishes. The whole experience was enchanting, especially when a baby chick who was born three weeks ago on the farm, was introduced to the guests but I was very glad to have worn several layers of clothes as the barn erred on the chilly side. 

KID FRIENDLY?

As it was an Enid Blyton theme, Bangers and Balls ran a very popular children-friendly version during the day and I can only imagine how much fun the children had tracking down clues in the Enchanted Forest and meeting the farm animals along the way. 

ANYTHING ELSE?

The Magic Faraway Tree Supper Club was their last event of 2020 but there is plenty more ways you can engage with Bangers and Balls in the meantime. You can choose to take part in their Pick It, Cook It, Eat It at Wonky Parsnip – a local farm specialising in growing weird and wonderful produce in Kent that originates from around the world such as Electric Daisy’s, Cucuamelons to Tomatilios and Thai egg plant.

Or there is Halloween Food Fright Dine at Home Supper Club where you can join them for a Spooktastic Food Fright Adventure in your own home and a three course dinner (and a Potion) to dine on at home will be delivered directly to your door using only the freshest ingredients around including the Day of the Dead Burrito Skulls – what will be inside? Trick or Treat?

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for:  Date night with a difference (especially when lockdown has exhausted all other conversation), alternative night out with the girls, family fun if going to a daytime event! 

Not for: Those looking for a swanky dining experience. This is rustic charm in abundance with creativity at the heart of proceedings coupled with very good food!

www.bangersandballs.co, 07768 777716

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