Artisserie Patisserie

The story

Artisserie Patisserie: Award-Winning French Bakery in Tenterden

The kitchens behind the counter

Artisserie Patisserie brings Michelin-trained French baking to a busy spot on Tenterden High Street. Chris Underwood applies decades of elite pastry training to the daily production line after winning awards for afternoon tea at Claridge’s and the Adam Handling group. He partnered with Graham Garrett, former rock drummer turned acclaimed restaurateur behind Biddenden’s West House, to open the space in 2022. A glass partition separates the customers from the proofing cabinets and marble worktops, letting visitors watch the morning bake cycle unfold.

Seasonal baking and signature bakes

The French patisserie craft shifts regularly to reflect what is freshest and most creative in the moment. Everything arrives fresh daily from their own kitchen, with occasional gluten-free pastries prepared alongside standard trays. Regular patrons often queue for the chocolate and peanut caramel tart, which The Good Food Guide highlights as a local gem worth seeking out. Bread shelves hold freshly pulled walnut and rosemary loaves alongside crusty baguettes that arrive hot from the deck oven.

The room and daily rhythm

The high street storefront maintains an unpretentious layout designed for quick coffee breaks or longer seated lunches. Baristas pull espresso shots while staff slice bespoke celebration cakes and arrange wholesale orders in the back room. Visitors frequently note the straightforward hospitality and the steady hum of the pastry station throughout the Tuesday through Saturday trading day. Sunday mornings offer a quieter pace for those wanting to collect weekend treats before the week begins.