Kent producers go from local to global in the Great Taste Awards
Produced in Kent members had a fantastic result in this year’s Great Taste Awards, announced at the end of July, with a whopping 42 products winning awards.
The GTA, arranged by the Guild of Fine Food and described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world, is an acknowledged national benchmark for fine food and drink.
This year’s awards saw around 500 expert judges who are chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers, come together for 62 tasty judging days from March through to early July.
Only 35% of the overall 12,000 entries were accredited, seven of which are also previous Taste of Kent Award winners. The lucky seven are: Anno Distillers, Biddenden Vineyards, Heidi Jane Preserves, Kentish Pip, Owlet Fruit Juices, Simply Ice Cream and The Zingiberi Bakery.
The Taste of Kent Awards Cider or Perry of the Year winners for the past 2 years – Kentish Pip picked up 3 awards for their ciders.
Stephanie Durling from Produced in Kent said: “We are thrilled that so many Produced in Kent members have been accredited for their products. It is so important for Kent producers to get global recognition and as the GTA is the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink awards at this time of year, it puts Kent on the map as a fantastic foodie destination.”
Winners are awarded one, two or three stars if the judges agree they deserve it based on taste. Those who are not nominated will receive constructive feedback to help them for future entries.
This years’ Produced in Kent members who won are:
| 3 star | |
| Charcott Cheese | Hall Place Dairy |
| 2 star | |
| Hazelnut & Butterscotch Marshmallow | DulciBella Marshmallows |
| Tangerine & Grapefruit Maramalade | Heidi Jane Preserves |
| Faversham Damson Vinegar | MightyFineThings |
| Roasted Vegetable Quiche | Oast to Host |
| Cox & Bramley Apple Juice | Owlet Fruit Juice |
| Cheerfull Gold Apple Juice | Owlet Fruit Juice |
| Brown Bread Ice Cream | Simply Ice Cream |
| Smoked Haddock | The Weald Smokery |
| Hot Roasted Smoked Salmon | The Weald Smokery |
| Sliced Smoked Venison | The Weald Smokery |
| Eggless Caraway Cake Kit | Wildflower Kitchen |
| The Captains Crackers: Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt | The Zingiberi Bakery |
| 1 star | |
| 60 Squared Gin | Anno Distillers |
| Moroccan Mint Blend | Bergamia Tea |
| Special Mead | Biddenden Vineyards |
| Stem Ginger Liquid Fudge | Fudge Kitchen |
| Sugar Free Peanut Brittle | Fudge Kitchen |
| Sugar Free Salted Caramels | Fudge Kitchen |
| Karimix Mussaman Curry Paste | Karimix |
| Kent Crisps Smoked Chipotle Chilli Flavour | Kent Crisps & Kentish Oils |
| Kentish Oils Raspberry Vinaigrette | Kent Crisps & Kentish Oils |
| Craftsman – Medium Dry Still Cider | Kentish Pip |
| Pure Discovery – Single Variety Still Cider | Kentish Pip |
| Skylark | Kentish Pip |
| Lemon Meringue Marshmallow | Marshmallow Heaven |
| Peanut Brittle | Marshmallow Heaven |
| Coxys Kent Liqueurs: Blackcurrant and Liquorice Liqueur | MightyFineThings |
| Figs in Kent Honey & Brandy | MightyFineThings |
| Gooseberry Gin Liqueur | Nip from the Hip |
| Toasted Cobnut Toffee Sauce | O’er the Moon |
| Prosecco Mince Pies | Oast to Host |
| Owlet Pear Juice | Owlet Fruit Juice |
| Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream | Simply Ice Cream |
| Clotted Cream Ice Cream | Taywell Ice Cream |
| TrooGranola – Nutty | TrooFoods |
| Damson & Chocolate Sauce | Wild at Heart |
| Seaweed Mayonnaise | Wild at Heart |
| Wild Garlic Mayonnaise | Wild at Heart |
| The Captains Cookies: Gluten Free | The Zingiberi Bakery |
| The Captains Crackers: Kentish Ale & Rosemary | The Zingiberi Bakery |
Stephanie Durling concludes: “Taste really is everything and also at the heart of the Taste of Kent Awards. Voting for the Taste of Kent Awards 2018 opens in September, visit www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk to cast your vote. We are lucky that Kent has so many fantastic food and drink producers who are making use of the delicious local produce from the county.”
