The Kentish Chef

(3.5 stars) With boneless chook tossed through a curry-like blend of cumin, turmeric, bay leaf, ginger, thyme and peppercorns, lengthened with mayonnaise, Coronation chook struck me as something the British would eat on dainty little sandwiches. There’s nothing dainty about The Royal Chook ($20) at The Kentish Chef. Loaded with thick slices of chicken breast, this rendition replaces the sweetness of apricots with a mango and sultana chutney, throws in iceberg lettuce, and serves the lot on thick, white sandwich loaf. Along with sourdough ($8.50/loaf), bread is baked in-house at this new, British-themed bakery in Petersham. It’s also pretty dense, and not the most economical shape if you like slicing it up for toast. The bakery-cafe’s small range is rounded out by Cornish pasties ($12/each), pork pies ($9.95/each) and very large sausage rolls, all available hot or cold. The pasty is an enjoyable mix of beef, onions and tender cubes of potato and swede encased in a thick crimped shortcrust shell. To enjoy my favourite pieces of British stodge—crumpets and English muffins—you need to eat in. The O.G. ($15.50) presents a pork sausage patty, American cheese, very crisp bacon and a fried egg with tomato sauce on a sourdough muffin. Crumpets only came with spreads so we opted for The Cure ($18). It places a chilli-dusted 62 degree C. egg on ‘hair of the dog’ toast infused with Guinness alongside good potato röesti and a pork sausage patty. It’s united with a tomato sauce spiked with gochujang and mirin. Cleanskin Coffee Co.’s Saint Blend taken strong in a cappuccino ($5.50) and flat white ($5.50) throws liquorice and dark chocolate. Made on a La Marzocco, it’s consistent across multiple visits, including in an iced latte ($6). It’s certainly nice to see something other than a tobacconist open in this part of the Inner West. Avoid Sundays if you don’t feel like shelling out a 12.5% surcharge on all items, including takeaway bread.

I genuinely dislike leaving negative reviews, especially for small businesses, but this experience was very disappointing. The pastry we were served was stale, and the coffee tasted burnt. When I politely raised this with the male staff member at the front, there was no apology and no offer to fix or replace anything. I was there with my family and kids, so the lack of care and basic customer service made the experience even more frustrating. Mistakes can happen, but how they’re handled matters—and unfortunately, this wasn’t handled at all. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as better service would make a big difference.

Loved it- such a warm welcome, great set up inside and truly the best baked goods I have ever tasted. That pastry was perfectly flaky and the fillings were just delightful. Can’t wait to try more of the menu!

What a lovely little place newly opened in Petersham! I popped in to try a few of their creations! First up was their Royal Chook sandwich which was banging with flavour! Packed with Creamy chicken that punches with spice and on the softest freshest white sourdough bread! Next was The Katz Sandwich which was my favorite!! Well seasoned pastrami very generous serving! Served with a huge pickle and lovely sauerkraut! Lastly was a veggie pastie, I believe old English cheese and chive with potato (I think it was a special) absolutely wild! Ate into it on the drive home I couldn’t wait and now I have none left - send help! These guys are bringing English class to Petersham and you can tell they have very refined taste buds - their sourdough looks and tastes spectacular! So glad you’re our new local welcome to the Inner West!

Great little spot serving up inventive but authentic grub. The OG is a must try - egg and crispy bacon on a beautifully toasted English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 muffin, with a patty of delicious pork sausage Guaranteed to get yolk on your fingers as you take the first bite, so watch out! Pasty was delicious as was the sausage roll - highly recommended for take away to reheat at home, and the chef himself gave us tips on how to reheat them the best way 🤌! The team front of house are great, super friendly and thoughtful, and the coffee was fantastic - I'm going back for the coffee alone, well... and to try the bread which looked bloody lovely! And maybe the crumpets, they sound fabbo as well. Highly highly recommended, make a trip to The Kentish Chef, you won't regret it.