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 on Thursday 28 July, with a whopping 29 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 400 expert judges who are chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers, come together for 49 tasty judging days from March through to early July.
Only 35% of the overall 10,000 entries were accredited, eight of which are also previous Taste of Kent Award winners. The lucky eight are: AMC Foods, Biddenden Vineyards, Chegworth Valley, Duddas Tun Cider, Kentish Pip, Owlet Fruit Juices, Pure Kent and Wise Owl Cider.
The Taste of Kent Awards Food Producer of the Year 2016, AMC Foods won an amazing 4 awards for their products and the winners of Best Cider or Perry of the Year for the past 3 years all picked up awards (Kentish Pip – 2016 winner, Wise Owl – 2015 winner and Duddas Tun – 2014 winner).
Stephanie Durling from Produced in Kent commented: “We are thrilled that so many Produced in Kent members have been accredited for their products. It is really nice to see local producers being recognised globally. These are the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink awards and at this time of year, it certainly helps to put Kent on the map as a fantastic destination to enjoy delicious food and drink.”
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 | |
| Owlet Fruit Juice | Owlet Cheerful Gold Apple Juice |
| Simply Ice Cream Ltd | Coffee Ice Cream |
| 2 star | |
| AMC Foods Ltd | Kentish Oils Extra Virgin Rapeseed – Classic Mayonnaise |
| Biddenden Vineyards | Red Love® Apple Juice |
| Chegworth Valley Ltd | Chegworth Valley Apple & Rhubarb Juice |
| Kentish Pip Cider | Craftsman |
| Owlet Fruit Juice | Owlet Jonagold Apple Juice |
| 1 star | |
| AMC Foods Ltd | Kentish Oils Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil |
| Kentish Oils Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil – Blended with Lemon | |
| Kentish Oils Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil – Blended with Jalapeno Chilli | |
| Chegworth Valley Ltd | Chegworth Valley Pear & Apple Juice |
| Debonair Tea Company | Extreme Earl |
| Dudda’s Tun Ltd | Dudda’s Tun Cider |
| DulciBella Marshmallows | Sonata After Dark Marshmallow |
| Eckley Farms trading as Pure Kent | Coarse White Wheat & Barley Flour |
| Pure Kent Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil | |
| Fudge Kitchen | Penuche Fudge |
| Double Trouble Fudge | |
| Almond Bark | |
| Heidi Jane Preserves | Spicy Apple Chutney |
| Marshmallow Heaven | Peanut Butter Marshmallows |
| MightyFineThings | Sweet Chilli, Honey & Ginger Sauce |
| Faversham Raspberry Vinegar | |
| Owlet Fruit Juice | Owlet Rhubarb, Apple & Strawberry Juice |
| The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company | Darjeeling Highlands Silver Tip SFTGFOP1 |
| French Breakfast Tea Superior | |
| Mango and Friends | |
| Korean FOP Woojeon | |
| The Weald Smokery | Hot Roast Smoked Salmon |
| Wise Owl Cider Ltd | Wise Owl Cider |
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 2017 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.”
