Sussex has lots of treats for the foodies of our county. From breweries and vineyards, to artisan products, farm shop and unique experiences. Here is the best of food and drink businesses in Sussex.
Noble and Stace Chocolatiers, Midhurst
You may have already tried or noticed Noble and Stace at a food market, but in case you haven’t, this one-man chocolatier is worth a lot of hype. Eight years ago, Mike converted his garage into a chocolate kitchen with no food manufacturing expertise, just a desire to make chocolate. While his business started small, making and selling just a few products to local farm shops, his products are now award winning – with 3 Great Taste accolades now under his belt.
What’s more, Mike runs chocolate masterclasses so that you can learn to create your very own bars, truffles and ganache from scratch! This unique experience teaches you how to make incredible chocolate from ingredients you can stock in your very own home.
Mike’s products, from tablettes to truffles, and vegan chocolate too, comes in a range of well-loved or intriguing flavours. There is raspberry crumble, fruit and nuts, fiery ginger, coffee bean, popping candy, white chocolate baklava, and many more to choose from. When it comes to making bespoke delights, Noble and Stace like to champion the very best of Sussex, often collaborating with other independent Sussex producers to create something truly special. For instance, the gin infused or sparkling wine infused sweet treats will be made with a Sussex distillery or vineyard. Likewise with the use of coffee beans from local roasteries.
You can WIN your own taste of Noble and Stace in our Instagram giveaway at the end of this month. The competition will run for three weeks from Fri 22 September, where you can win over £50 worth of chocolate from Noble and Stace. Or, if you can’t wait, order online or book your private Masterclass at www.nobleandstace.co.uk
Langham Brewery, Petworth
Langham – an independent, award-winning microbrewery in the South Downs, near Petworth – offers a range of fresh, carefully developed craft beer served by friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable staff. They create innovative and flavoursome craft beers using top quality ingredients and traditional, as well as contemporary, skills.
The brewery taproom creates the perfect day out. It is around 40 minutes from Brighton & Hove and surrounded by stunning countryside; walkers, cyclists, hikers and day-trippers are all warmly welcomed. The taproom ‘Gulp Club’ offers discounts and the brewery hosts a myriad of events across the year.
For a unique day out, you can meet the team and enjoy a brewery tour: choose mix-in tours or exclusive private hire. A typical tour is 1 ½ to 2 hours though you are always welcome to, and often do, stay longer. Tours cost £20 inc VAT per head and include a complimentary Langham tumbler glass!
In the taproom, there is a selection of 7 cask ales and 4 keg beers, as well as local ciders, Fairview Wines, soft drinks, and tea and coffee. Hungry? Tuck into a Faretti Pizza, also made locally. Amongst their Core Range of beers is the Hip Hop (a classic blonde beer, which is clean and crisp) and Session Bitter (a deep, golden beer, the nose has tropical fruit, pineapple and citrus notes with a smooth maltiness in the background). Find out more about Langham Brewery, and book your tour at www.langhambrewery.co.uk/
Torstigbar, Brighton
Torstigbar is setting the bar for making low and no alcohol drinks an exciting alternative. It’s Brighton’s first low alcohol bar and bottleshop with no drink above 0.5% ABV, all of which are carefully curated. This is a place to socialise with the pleasure of a tasty beverage and a clear head, making sober nights out trendy. The interior too has a gorgeous aesthetic: shelves stacked high with wines and tonics beside hanging plants; comfy seating with mood lighting; an art deco inspired bar. It is a space you would want to hang out in. On the menu is Mocktails, low alcohol spirits, low alcohol wine, plus brands such as Lucky Saint and Guinness on tap. If you’re sober-curious, doing sober October, or simply hate hangovers, then Torstigbar is for you.
Find them at No. 45 George Street, Kemptown BN2 1RJ or follow @torstigbar
Hart Country Stores, Haywards Heath
A quirky farmshop and cafe in Haywards Heath, Hart Country Stores showcases the very best of UK produce while also hosting special events, workshops, and tasting. They have recently won Muddy Stilettos’ 2023 award for Best Cafe in Sussex too, which is a great achievement! The cafe serves Sussex suppliers including Horsham Coffee, Maverick Coffee (brewed in Haywards Heath), The Tea Leaf Company (brewed in Shoreham), Coburn and Baker (baked in Brighton) and there are plenty more treats to discover in the shop. To give you a taste of the events you should look out for to book, is a two hour pottery workshop on Thurs 7 September – ‘Sip and Sculpt’. Friday nights at Hart mean you can get cosy in the stylish lounge, enjoy a cold glass of wine or cocktail, and appreciate some live music. Return on the Saturday morning for Doughnut Saturdays with Ace Doughnuts. www.hartcountrystores.co.uk
Rewilding Us, Worthing
Rewilding Us provide foraging experiences through seasonal foraging courses, coastal foraging courses and mushroom foraging courses teaching the uses of wild plants, mushrooms and seafood found in the diverse and rich habitats in and around West Sussex. Run by Chris, the business stemmed from his journey of finding the best diet for his body and the environment, then sharing this knowledge. Most of the foraging is vegan orientated, though “we do cater for all walks of life.” Foraging can help you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and remind you where so much of our food comes from – the wild! Find out more and book your foraging experience at www.rewildingus.co.uk.
Spiced Sussex, Brighton-based
Popping up regularly at artisan food markets and stocked in plenty of local stores, delis and cafes, Spiced Sussex creates a wood fired hot sauce. They recently were awarded two stars from Great Taste which is purely judged on taste, no branding or marketing involved. The flavours come from roasted naga peppers on sustainably sourced hardwood, and then each bottle is waxed by hand. It is a plant-based product made with fine ingredients, and crafted with love. Look out for Spiced Sussex at your next trip to the market; you won’t be able to resist taking a bottle home. Follow @spicedsussex to stay updated on stocklists and market appearances.
Rye Chocolates, Hastings
Handmade, artisan chocolates from East Sussex. With a menu of bars, truffles, buttons, and hot chocolate too, this little business is a real sweet treat (literally). The first attraction is their artistic packaging in fun patterns and designs which makes opening your chocolate feel like unwrapping a present. They started their journey in 2016 and have since curated many successful recipes and designs using the best ingredients from around the world. Try their 43.5% Venezuelan Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate, or perhaps you would rather 72% Ecuadorian Pistachio Dark Chocolate. They also have five different hot chocolates available to buy online in different percentages, so there is a flavour to suit every tooth, whether that be sweet, rich or slightly bitter. All of their products are also available to buy at their beautiful store in Rye high street (TN31 7JE). www.ryechocolates.co.uk/
Busi Jacobhson Wine Estate, Tunbridge Wells
In the beautiful High Weald of East Sussex is a unique, family run wine estate, renowned for the meticulous care and craft that goes into making their wine. Amongst their current products are Cuvée Brut, Rosé Extra Brut, Blanc De Noirs, Blanc de Blanc (all 2018), plus Cuvée Extra Brut and Rosé (both 2019). Respecting, protecting, curating from and feeling inspired by nature are all key to Busi Jacobhson, promoting the vineyard as an ecosystem and habitat for wildlife. They also offer bespoke tasting experiences which allows you to see the ethos and hard work of the estate first hand. Then, try their incredible produce. This experience is only £28pp and can be enquired on their website. To discover more about Busi Jacobhson, or buy one of their wines head to www.busijacobsohn.com/
