insideKENT Magazine Issue 27 - June 2014 | Page 63

FOOD+DRINK

Michel Roux Jr Champions
Kent Farmers' Market Month in June
As patron of the Kent Farmers’ Market Association, Michel Roux Jr is urging other highprofile restaurateurs to champion local produce. No stranger to the county, Michel grew
up in the village of Shipbourne, before his family moved to London to open prestigious
two-Michelin-star restaurant, Le Gavroche.
Recently, he returned to see just what farmers'
markets in the Garden of England have to offer,
while also promoting Kent Farmers’ Market
month, which falls in June. Ever keen to champion
the local and seasonal produce that's sold at
such markets, Michel explains the importance
of being able to talk to the grower and producer:
“It’s the actual grower or the producer that’s
bringing it to the market. You’re missing out the
middleman, so it should be cheaper. Nine times
out of ten it will be fresher too, because it comes
from around the corner.”

of carrots, you’re talking about something. It
might be quite banal, but you’re having a
conversation.

Only last year, Michel attended a fundraising
dinner held in celebration of Shipbourne's
Farmers' Market's 10th anniversary, and it was
here, he agreed to become patron of Kent
Farmers' Markets Association.

Michel added that he is relishing his new role as
patron: "I think there’s a lot of produce that
people don’t realise is grown in Kent. It’s a great
county for apples, and the cherries are absolutely
to-die-for delicious. It boasts varied produce, but
it just needs championing a bit more.”

Aside from supporting farmers’ markets, Michel
is concerned about the demise of the many
independent shops once found on the high street.
He explains: “It pains me when I walk down a
high street and all I can see are chains, estate
agents and mini supermarkets taking over. The
town then loses its character.”
Encouraging shoppers to use independent shops,
not only for the quality but also for the experience,
Michel continues: "You’re not just buying a bunch

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"Likewise, when you go into an independent
butcher, you’re talking to a professional craftsman
– someone who is passionate about his meat. I
think it's important that we get connected back
to where everything comes from and how it’s
grown, which you can’t do in a supermarket.
You can’t have a conversation with a polythene
bag or a piece of cling film!”

The idea of Kent Farmers' Market month is to
encourage more people to shop for local produce
at their local farmers’ market. Many markets will
also be running special events, and they will be
linking these with Open Farm Sunday – a date
on which you can visit a local farm to see just
how your food is grown.
Visit www.kfma.org.uk for further information
on Kent's farmers’ markets and events.