FH Stories | Anne’s Restaurant
There’s a newcomer to the Folkestone restaurant scene – one that’s offering relaxed dining, creating jobs and helping aspiring young talent earn their hospitality stripes.
Anne’s Restaurant on Shorncliffe Road is a new initiative by local education provider, the EKC Group, and is next to its Folkestone College campus.
The restaurant is located in a 19th century building formerly known as Ames House, the site of a convent school during WW2 and latterly part of the Folkestone College site. Earlier this year (2021), Ames House was renovated to bring it back to its former glory, sympathetically transforming it into a beautifully-designed space boasting two period-style dining areas, with contemporary features.
The restaurant concept centres around delivering high-quality food and a great customer experience, while also training the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals – helping them to gain valuable experience working alongside 22 experienced, professional staff in a real restaurant.
There is an emphasis on local suppliers throughout its menu and the restaurant itself, right down to the specially-commissioned art from Kent-based artist Alison Drewett on the walls. Regular local food and drink suppliers include Salvatori, a sustainable family butchers; Page & Sons, who supply local beers from Folkestone-based Angels & Demons Brewery; fruit and vegetables from Oliver Kay and bread from Hythe’s Docker Bakery.
The launch of Anne’s restaurant in November 2021 follows the success of EKC Group’s restaurant and hotel The Yarrow in Broadstairs which achieved the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Award by Trip Advisor and has a 4-star Quality Assurance rating from Visit England.
Tracy Flower from the EKC Group said, “We’ve set out to offer a high-quality restaurant experience where there’s a real focus on the customer. We want to appeal to everyone but while we establish the restaurant we particularly expect it to be popular with locals dining for leisure either at lunch or dinner.”
“The students here are already at a high standard but Anne’s gives them a platform to grow their skills and experience in a real-life commercial restaurant so that they are work-ready when they progress from the college.
“It’s named after our deputy chief executive Anne Leese who retired last year. She was really passionate about the student experience we offer and the name honours her and provides a personal link between the restaurant and the college.”
Anne’s is open every day for lunch and dinner. Book a table by calling 01303 858388 and follow @annesrestaurant on Twitter and at @annes_restaurant on Instagram.
This case study has been created with support of the Welcome Back Fund, a fund that is providing councils across England with a share of £56m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which supports the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic.