Our May Highlights - Inspiration for what to do in Kent

It's been another beautiful month in Kent, and in putting together May's highlights, we realised that we've spent the majority of the past few weeks eating delicious food around the county!

From Michelin Guide tasting menus to literary festivals; cookery classes to animal encounters, here’s a look at what we got up to in May...

The Counter, Tunbridge Wells

Kirsty and Katy had a wonderful evening trying out the delectable 8 course tasting menu at The Counter in Tunbridge Wells:

The Counter in Tunbridge Wells is a cosy and inviting spot offering a unique, intimate dining experience. Guests can be seated right at the kitchen counter, giving a behind-the-scenes view of the action as each dish is carefully crafted. The ever-evolving tasting menu changes monthly, with a strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce.

Each one of the 8 beautifully presented dishes were delicious but there were some real standouts - we loved the broth, it was so comforting dipping the chunky homemade bread into it, the cucumber sorbet was not something we would usually order but it was so refreshing and surprisingly tasty and the tower of sweets at the end was a real showstopper with the creamiest fudge - the perfect way to end an incredible meal.

To elevate the experience even further, we opted for the wine pairings, each expertly chosen to complement the flavours of the food. The pairings enhanced every course without overpowering them, adding a whole new layer of enjoyment to an already exceptional evening.

You can find out more by reading Katy's review

Kent Cookery School, Ashford

At the beginning of the month, Katy tried out Kent Cookery School's fabulous new cookery class:

Tucked away in the outskirts of Ashford, the classes at Kent Cookery School strike the perfect balance between a fun and unique activity, whilst also being informative and teaching some invaluable culinary skills. 

Led by down to earth Head Chef and owner James Rosser, everything is explained and demonstrated in a relaxed, entertaining and relatable way, making the recipes really easy to follow.

We started by creating a marinade for our Chicken Satay, before moving onto creating a red curry paste, spicy Satay sauce and the filling for bite size crispy Money Bags. Sharing a work station between two, we each had everything we’d need and were offered drinks throughout to accompany the fun.

Finally, we made our Red Thai Curry which - like the other recipes - used fresh, authentic ingredients and was bursting with aromatic flavours. It was so satisfying to cook a whole meal from scratch and the two and a half hours just flew by!

Once all of the food was cooked and served, we sat down together as a group to enjoy the meal. The dishes were amazing, and it was such a special way to end the class - savouring the fruits of our labour.

Whether you’re looking to hone your skills, girls night out, alternative date night or a gift for a loved one, I can highly recommend Kent Cookery School for something a little different. It was a brilliant evening and I can’t wait to try the recipes at home!

Bison Encounter, Port Lympne Wildlife Park

Kirsty took the children to experience feeding the bison at Port Lympne Wildlife Park:

It was such a wonderful experience taking part in a scatter feed for the bison. Getting up close to these incredible animals was something really special — and the children absolutely loved it! They had so much fun throwing carrots and watching the bison amble over to munch on their snacks.

The keeper was fantastic — really knowledgeable and engaging. They shared so many interesting facts about the bison’s behaviour, habitat, and conservation efforts. We all came away having learned something new, and it really added depth to the experience.

It was also very reasonably priced, especially considering how hands-on and memorable it was. A brilliant way to make a regular day out at the zoo feel extra special — we’d definitely recommend it to families looking for something a bit different!

Pearly Cow, Margate

Kirsty took a trip to the seaside to try out the new Terrace Menu at Pearly Cow in Margate:

Pearly Cow is a stunning restaurant with an inviting outdoor terrace that overlooks the breathtaking Margate Sand. I was invited to try out their new lunch menu launching just in time for summer. Unfortunately summer hadn’t got the memo that day and we chose to eat inside the stunning restaurant instead. 

We enjoyed a vibrant selection of dishes, including flavour-packed tacos, smoky corn ribs, delicate tuna carpaccio, crispy courgette fritters, and a beautifully cooked lamb rump. The kitchen places a strong focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, sourcing locally whenever possible — and it truly shows in the quality and taste of each dish.

One of the highlights for me was the fresh seafood, especially the Whitstable oysters, which were a real treat. The Parly Cow is definitely one to bookmark for leisurely lunches by the sea this summer.

Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival, Tunbridge Wells

Katy soaked up some culture with some brilliant events as part of Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival:

Returning for it's fourth year, the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival played host to a wonderful array of novelists, illustrators and poets in early May. Katy attended the launch event where the organiser and sponsors discussed the importance and aims of this fabulous annual event. There was also delicious catering from Essence at The Pantiles!

Katy attended Q&As with both Martin Clunes who gave a moving account of his book, "Meetings With Remarkable Animals" and Rupert Everett whose witty and wry discussion centred around his collection of short stories, "The American No". Both were hosted at The Assembly Hall and were fantastic sessions.

Sekkoya, Canterbury

Kirsty visited authentic Indian restaurant, Sekkoya, in its new location:

We recently visited Sekkoya at its beautiful new location on Canterbury High Street, and it was a memorable dining experience from start to finish. The restaurant is gorgeously decorated, blending elegance with quirky, characterful accents.

The menu offers a fantastic range of choices, including an impressive selection of small plates. We began with crisp poppadoms, followed by chicken lollipops marinated in a rich tandoori yoghurt, and the standout samosa chaat—a vibrant dish featuring samosas topped with chutneys and spices, bursting with flavour.

For mains, I chose the Goan fish curry, served in a fragrant coconut curry sauce that was both creamy and delicately spiced. My husband had the paneer curry, cooked in a luscious tomato and cashew sauce. We paired our mains with pilau rice, a wonderfully soft peshwari naan, and decided to try the masala fries for a modern twist.

We ended our meal on a sweet note with a fragrant rose cheesecake and gulab jamun—soft, syrup-soaked dough balls.

Sekkoya brings a fresh and vibrant Indian dining experience to Canterbury. With its inviting atmosphere, attentive service, and deliciously curated menu, it’s definitely a place we’ll return to.