FOOD + DRINK
from SEA to PLATE cont .
Luisa Wright of Chapmans of Sevenoaks , Borough Green
We ’ re a local company with a national infrastructure . All our produce is sourced responsibly ( with emphasis on using local fishing boats across the Kent and Sussex coasts ) and taken immediately to our state-of-the-art processing facility in Borough Green . From there it leaves in our fleet of vans and crosses the M25 before dawn to deliver directly to some of the finest restaurants in London . We also distribute to top quality pubs , restaurants and hotels all the way across Kent and the South East , including our own Seafood Bar and Brasserie .
The most important factor about our growth so far is that it ’ s been natural and organic . Expansion through reputation . We only source the best , freshest fish straight from the boats and are always working to keep food miles as low as possible , and traceability as clear as possible . We deliver six days per week , and operate a 24- hour phone service to take orders . We offer constant updates on the fish markets and fresh catches , so busy chefs can just give us a call at the end of their evening shift to receive an order of fresh fish the next day .
25 years ago , when Keith Chapman first opened his fish market stall , he never would have expected
Chapman ’ s to become what it is today . He started out sourcing fish from local boats , and selling it himself from a stall . This continued for a while but soon enough , his reputation spread and local pubs and restaurants began asking him to supply their kitchens . Eventually this became so successful that he couldn ’ t maintain both the stall and the distribution business , so he was forced to choose . He chose distribution , and it worked out pretty well .
Starting with just himself and his van , he soon had to add more drivers , more vans , more suppliers . This gradual growth , based on consistently good quality and service , went on for just over 12 years until Dave Theze joined the business . Dave has a background in fish wholesale and brokerage and he used that experience to expand the business further . Before long , Chapman ’ s had 35 staff , 13 vans , a stateof-the-art depot and started supplying more and more top-quality restaurants across the South East of England and London .
We ’ re immensely proud of our restaurant . It offers simple , well-cooked fresh seafood in a friendly , informal atmosphere . Expect a fantastic range of locally sourced produce , generous portion sizes and warm , attentive service . We serve the freshest fish , straight from the boats , and a range of fantastic beers , wines and spirits to accompany it – many of which are locally made too . Located beside the beautiful Westgate Towers in Canterbury , we are conveniently close to Canterbury West train station and there ’ s plenty of parking available nearby .
The key restaurants we supply in Kent are : The West House ( try the cured mackerel fillet with charcoal beetroot , pickled rhubarb , horseradish and smoked dashi ) Rocksalt ( including dishes such as creamed smoked coley thermidor with a poached egg ) Fish on the Green ( for example , steamed fillet of turbot with local asparagus , shitake mushrooms , chive veloute and a side of Nicola potatoes ) The Sportsman ( braised brill fillet with a mussel and bacon tartare ) Chapman ’ s ( including green Thai fish curry with steamed rice )
Chapman ’ s of Sevenoaks Old Otford Road Sevenoaks TN14 5EW 01732 743319 www . chapmansofsevenoaks . co . uk
@ chapmans2
50