Food historian Paul Brewin, from Molash, has stated that some of England's oldest recipes have their roots in Kent. His research uncovered references to Jack of Dover and Kentish pudding in a manuscript dating back to 1250.
Brewin, who has written a book titled Old Kentish Recipes, described Kent's food heritage as "one of the richest areas in England." Jack of Dover, a meal made from leftover fish and potatoes, was also mentioned in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
Kentish pudding, which Brewin said evolved from a rice pudding into a custard-like dish, is described as being "a little bit like a cheesecake." Among the county's enduring recipes are Kentish huffkins, a type of bread roll still available today.
Brewin's research identified around 340 recipes linked to Kent. He noted that while Gypsy Tart is widely considered traditional, he has not found any references to it before 1955.