by Angela Cole

What could be more English than relaxing with a cream tea while watching cricket on the green?

It’s just one of the treats awaiting visitors to the Kent County Show this summer, along with agricultural delights; farm animals and arena displays.

And when thoughts turn to elevensies or lunch, there will be an array of food on offer with everything from a Kentish flavour to international cuisine.

This year’s show, which runs from Friday, July 16 to Sunday, July 18, will include an International Food Court in the centre of the showground in Detling, next to the picnic area and bandstand.

Ten companies will be vying for your tastebuds, as they serve up treats from Latin America to the Mediterranean.

Family business Goddard’s Pies, on the Hornet Business Estate in Borough Green, specialises in making great pies, and, after being established since 1890, they know what they’re doing.

Originally established in Deptford, the company is a thriving pie and mash business, and its traditional English fare will be joining Gillingham-based W*Indies with its Caribbean kitchen, offering chicken and mutton curry and a special chicken dish with rice and peas. There will also be a Shepherd Neame bar.

Another new feature for this year’s show will be Farm to Fork, based next to the new countryside ring, offering more foodie choices, including Godmersham-based Wild Grills’ rare meats burgers and sausages, with such delicacies as wild boar and ostrich to even bison.

Produced in Kent will showcase some of the best Kent produce, while two British food courts will be in the agricultural area, offering pies, hog roast and filled baguettes.

The tea rooms within the new village green area will be run by Dan Caldbeck.

He said: “The village green will be a wonderful place to sit with a cup of tea and cream scone and watch the maypole dancers, cricket and tug of war.”

Alongside the food, of course, there will be a host of farming-related events and attractions, as well as fairground rides and activities to take part in.

• For tickets, call 01622 633060 or visit www.kentshow.co.uk
• Pre-paid tickets are available until July 9.