we’ve just spent a wonderful day by the sea – a trip to whitstable on the north kent coast followed by lunch at the sportsman in nearby seasalter.

the sportsman was on my list of places to try as a result of being runner-up in the best sunday lunch category in the recent observer food magazine awards. opened in 1999, sourcing food locally from the start (current suppliers are listed on their website), this gastropub is well worth a visit. chef stephen harris is self-taught and makes a point of visiting other restaurants and adopts flourishes that he particularly likes. more of which later.