This post really makes me reflect on how much local traditions and regional cultures can fly under the radar. It’s fascinating how certain foods and customs, like bridies or gypsy tarts, can be so deeply embedded in a place yet remain largely unknown elsewhere. Local culture truly is precious in its quiet, hidden ways.
Thrilled to see coverage of the gypsy tart, which holds very many memories for me from a Kentish childhood. Weirdly I think the recipe we used in my house came from my Wandsworth based grandmother but we also used to buy them from Rooks (JC Rook and Sons) which has branches in Maidstone and Broadstairs among many many others - from first glance a butcher but also the purveyor of amazing baked goods, sweet and savoury. A 'trip down the town' on a Saturday in Maidstone with my Dad often featured a cheese puff (basically a disc of cheese and butter and pastry) from Rooks, the very best place to be ever found nestled in a nondescript shopping centre. Long before I understood Greggs to be offering such things, for me Rooks was the place to get weird combinations of things in pastry - they did a cheeseburger puff too, which was literally a burger, cheese and ketchup encased in pastry. Yet to find the equivalent in Birmingham where I live now. The bakeries are amazing here but the one thing I do miss about Maidstone is the humble Rooks cheese puff.
When people talk about Bedfordshire baking they usually mention the Bedfordshire Clanger - a sort of pasty with a sweet filling at one end and savoury at the other. There's a baker that sells them on the high street but I am convinced they are a modern creation. The more authentic taste of Bedford is chocolate toothpaste - a god-awful sounding cocoa tart that people remember fondly from school dinners - a lot of the local bakers sell it either by the slice or whole tarts.
Now I’m craving a random chocolate raspberry See’s candy, or a Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie but it’s 2:25 a.m. ~~ I’m going to have to say thank you 🙏 and nightie night….it’s well past my bedtime.
nothingbundtcakes.com I’m inviting you to come over “the pond” Safely, after restrictions on travels, and experience a confection like 👍 you are never going to forget, I promise you!!
Hey 👋 your illustrated content, was pleasantly sweet, (Lol—an American 🇺🇸 pun) however I think 🤔 the truth is that in my opinion, for example, I don’t believe it needs to be as lengthy. I love ❤️ your content and voice. The text was thoughtfully put together and your ideas flowed seamlessly into your new memories and your thoughts are concise enough.
I love ❤️ the truth and integrity of your writing ✍️ and I love to hopefully read your thoughts on your next journey?
Highly recommend checking out Oddies in Burnley. A fantastic chain of bakeries and I've been around the UK quite a bit and never found anything matching their pork and pepper roll!
Brilliant article. Might I point you to a BBC series that was a history of the UK told through the medium of pies: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bmqc/episodes/guide
This post really makes me reflect on how much local traditions and regional cultures can fly under the radar. It’s fascinating how certain foods and customs, like bridies or gypsy tarts, can be so deeply embedded in a place yet remain largely unknown elsewhere. Local culture truly is precious in its quiet, hidden ways.
this makes me wish I had been born British.
Thrilled to see coverage of the gypsy tart, which holds very many memories for me from a Kentish childhood. Weirdly I think the recipe we used in my house came from my Wandsworth based grandmother but we also used to buy them from Rooks (JC Rook and Sons) which has branches in Maidstone and Broadstairs among many many others - from first glance a butcher but also the purveyor of amazing baked goods, sweet and savoury. A 'trip down the town' on a Saturday in Maidstone with my Dad often featured a cheese puff (basically a disc of cheese and butter and pastry) from Rooks, the very best place to be ever found nestled in a nondescript shopping centre. Long before I understood Greggs to be offering such things, for me Rooks was the place to get weird combinations of things in pastry - they did a cheeseburger puff too, which was literally a burger, cheese and ketchup encased in pastry. Yet to find the equivalent in Birmingham where I live now. The bakeries are amazing here but the one thing I do miss about Maidstone is the humble Rooks cheese puff.
If you're into the history of British baking, definitely check out "Outs in the North, Wheat from the South" by Regula Ysewijn. :)
Outstanding article. Thanks.
When people talk about Bedfordshire baking they usually mention the Bedfordshire Clanger - a sort of pasty with a sweet filling at one end and savoury at the other. There's a baker that sells them on the high street but I am convinced they are a modern creation. The more authentic taste of Bedford is chocolate toothpaste - a god-awful sounding cocoa tart that people remember fondly from school dinners - a lot of the local bakers sell it either by the slice or whole tarts.
Great piece of writing - just wish Gus had gigged around my neck of the woods (literally) Oxfordshire.
Shame there are no Real Bread bakeries on the list, especially as it's Sourdough September.
Now I’m craving a random chocolate raspberry See’s candy, or a Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie but it’s 2:25 a.m. ~~ I’m going to have to say thank you 🙏 and nightie night….it’s well past my bedtime.
nothingbundtcakes.com I’m inviting you to come over “the pond” Safely, after restrictions on travels, and experience a confection like 👍 you are never going to forget, I promise you!!
Hey 👋 your illustrated content, was pleasantly sweet, (Lol—an American 🇺🇸 pun) however I think 🤔 the truth is that in my opinion, for example, I don’t believe it needs to be as lengthy. I love ❤️ your content and voice. The text was thoughtfully put together and your ideas flowed seamlessly into your new memories and your thoughts are concise enough.
I love ❤️ the truth and integrity of your writing ✍️ and I love to hopefully read your thoughts on your next journey?
I used to go to Merrie England at least once week when I lived in Huddersfield.
Staffordshire oatcakes. How come you can buy tortillas in every supermarket in the UK, but have to seek out the infinitely superior oatcake?
Highly recommend checking out Oddies in Burnley. A fantastic chain of bakeries and I've been around the UK quite a bit and never found anything matching their pork and pepper roll!