insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014 | Page 58

FOOD+DRINK

Pork & Co.
Since opening its doors in spring of this year, Canterbury-based Pork & Co., has certainly kept to its promise
of serving 'the finest pork you ever did have'. Five months down the line and this popular haunt not only
remains the talk of town, but it continues to attract hoards of pork-seeking customers daily and has beaten
off competition to secure the number one spot on TripAdvisor. So what is its secret? A firm believer of
investigative (food-based) journalism, there was only one way to find out. BY GEMMA DUNN

A clear indicator of Pork & Co.'s soaring success is the fact it's fronted by
local restaurateur, Sam Deeson. Having already established neighbouring
British restaurant, Deeson's, Sam saw a gap in the market and snapped
up this Cathedral-owned site to embark on his latest venture. Appointing
Danny Staples as manager, this foodie duo have since proved they certainly
know how to roast a pig – and then some.
Located in the former site of the Shake Shed, the pulled pork concept
initially stemmed from Sam's dampened experiences of a festival-induced
traditional hog roast. Wanting to up the ante, he went one better and quite
literally set up shop serving quality pulled pork – but with all of the trimmings.
Following on from what the team already do at Deeson’s, Pork & Co.
uses free-range, rare-breed (happy) pigs from its own s mallholding and
two Kentish farmers. The takeaway-only shop gets through an entire roast
pig every day, which sounds a lot but is an entirely understandable notion
once you've tried and tested the full shebang.
A showstopper, its 14-hour slow roasted pulled pork is juicy and
meltingly tender, met with soft, handcrafted brioche buns; a selection of
homemade slaws; toppings; and the ultimate staple, pork crackling. Toppings
include anything from black pudding to stuffing, while slaws feature chilli,
dry, red and house. What's more, a homemade, 24-hour-marinated apple
butter, apple or barbecue sauce seals the deal on this perfected concoction.
As well as hog roast and pulled pork, Pork & Co. also sells porchetta,
a selection of scotch eggs, salads and delectable sausage rolls.

A refreshing concept, the venue
injects a London vibe to the cobbled
streets of Canterbury, with almost
an East End pie and mash shop
feel about it.
As Sam predicted, street food
really is big business – assuming of
course, you don't make a pig's ear
of it (I had to get one in!). Delivering
exactly what it says on the tin, the
future is certainly bright for Pork &

58

Co., and I, for one, cannot wait to
watch it flourish.
Pork & Co.
18 Sun Street
Canterbury
CT1 2HX
01227 450398
www.porkandco.co.uk
@porkandco