The winners of Produced in Kent’s Taste of Kent Awards have been revealed today (4 March), after being recognised as Kent’s ultimate food and drink champions at this year’s black tie event, which was held at the Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling.
Stephanie Durling of Produced in Kent, comments: “We would like to congratulate the winners and all the entrants. This year’s awards have attracted thousands of voters from across the county and beyond and it is fair to say that the results were extremely close.
“The people of Kent have chosen the flavours, products, produce and venues they have enjoyed the most over the last 12 months. The awards not only highlight the finest produce the county has to offer but, for the winners, the awards are the ultimate stamp of approval from their customers and confirmation of their food and drink excellence.”
James Beatton, Partner at Cripps LLP, the Awards’ main sponsor, said: “We are delighted to have sponsored the Taste of Kent Awards for the fifth consecutive year. In Kent, we are fortunate to have some truly fantastic food and drink businesses which continue to attract the support of local people.”
Stephanie Durling adds: “We would like to thank everyone who nominated and took the time to vote. It’s fantastic to see just how much people appreciate Kent produce. We would also like to thank Jason Freedman owner of Curiously Kentish for preparing an exciting Kentish dinner for us again this year and our thanks to the Kent Event Centre and the Showground for their valuable support.
The winners in each category are:
Garden of England Champions – Top Fruit, sponsored by BTF Partnership
- Pears – Concorde by David Stevens, Lower Halstow
- Apples – Cameo by Newmafruit, Chartham
Garden of England Champions – Soft Fruit, sponsored by East Malling Research
- Cherries – John Myatt & Co, nr Rochester
- Strawberries – John Myatt & Co, nr Rochester
- Raspberries – John Myatt & Co, nr Rochester
Kent Food Product, sponsored by Shepherd Neame
| Winner Ambient Class: Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil blended with lemon, AMC Foods Limited, Ramsgate |
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| Winner Bakery & Confectionery Class: The Captain’s Crackers, Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt, The Zingiberi Bakery, Herne Bay |  |
| Winner Dairy Class: Channel Island Double Cream, Hinxden Farm Dairy, Benenden |  |
| Winner Prepared Food Class: Mr McGregor’s Pie, Paramour Pie Club, Deal |  |
| Winner Specialist Drinks Class: 60² gin, Anno Distillers Limited, Tonbridge |
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Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by Eurostar
Winner: Bacchus – Chapel Down Vineyard, Tenterden
Finalists: Herbert Hall Brut – Herbert Hall, Marden
Ortega, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Opies
Winner: Peter’s Produce, Herne Bay
Finalists: Holwood Farm Shop, Keston
Monty’s of Birchington, Birchington
Kent Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore
Winner: Googies, Folkestone
Finalists: The Ambrette, Margate
The Corner House, Minster
Kent Fishmonger of the Year, sponsored by The University of Kent
Winner: Hudson’s Fish, Herne Bay
Finalists: Aldington Fresh Foods, Ashford
Hollowshore Fisheries, Faversham
Kent Young Food and Farming Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Kent Farmers’ Market Association and Rusbridge Family Bakery
Winner: Alexandra Auger, Founder and Managing Director at The Juice Executive, Nr Maidstone
Finalists: Laura Bounds, Commercial Director at AMC Foods Ltd, Ramsgate
Marie Prebble, Owner, Kent Shepherd, Dover
Kent Cider or Perry of the Year, sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy FKC
Winner: Kentish Pip Craftsman – Kentish Pip, Bekesbourne
Finalists: Biddenden Strong Kentish Cider – Biddenden Vineyards
Wise Owl Cider – Wise Owl, Ashford
Kent Farmers’ Market of the Year, sponsored by Hadlow College
Winner: Rochester Farmers’ Market
Finalists: Cliftonville Farmers’ Market
Kent Butcher Shop of the Year, sponsored by Stephen’s
Winner: C.A. Worgans Butchers, The Goods Shed, Canterbury
Finalists: Carnivore Food Ltd, Sidcup
Stour Valley Game, Chilham
Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors
Winner: Romney Amber Ale – Romney Marsh Brewery, New Romney
Finalists: Gadds’ Number 3 – Ramsgate Brewery, Broadstairs
Good Life – Goody Ales, Herne Bay
Kent Food Product of the Year, sponsored by HSBC
Winner: The Captain’s Crackers, Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt – The Zingiberi Bakery, Herne Bay
Kent Countryside Award, sponsored by Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs
- Large – Hush Heath, Staplehurst
- Small – Hollin Root Farm, Cranbrook
Kent Juice Producer of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son
Winner: Chegworth Valley Juices, Harrietsham
Finalists: The Cherry Berry Co., Bexleyheath
Nightingales (Gibbet Oak), Tenterden
Kent Dining Pub of the Year, sponsored by Page & Wells
Winner: The George Inn, Molash
Finalists: King and Queen, East Malling
The Kings Head, Wye
Kent Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Shopper Anonymous Kent
Winner: AMC Foods Limited, Manston
Finalists: Samovar Foods, Aylesham
Thomas Cookie Co, Maidstone
Produced in Kent Award 2016
Winner: Matthew Kearsey-Lawson – in recognition of his commitment to Kent food and drink.
There were a number of winners who were new to the list of finalists including: C.A. Worgans Butchers, Googies, Hinxden Farm Dairy, Hollin Root Farm, Hush Heath, John Myatt & Co, Kentish Pip, Paramour Pie Club, Peter’s Produce, Rochester Farmers’ Market, Romney Marsh Brewery, The Goods Shed, Alexandra Auger, The Zingiberi Bakery and Matthew Kearsey-Lawson.
Last year’s winners celebrating again this year include AMC Foods, Anno Distillers, Chapel Down, Chegworth Valley, Hudson’s Fish, L. Stevens & Son, Newmafruit, and The George Inn.
Pictures and more information on all the winners are available at www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk
This year’s awards are run with sponsorship from Cripps LLP (Main Sponsor), Biddenden Vineyards, BTF Partnership, East Malling Research, Eurostar, AC Goatham & Son, Hadlow College, HSBC, Hush Heath Estate, Moors, Opies, Page & Wells, Rix & Kay, Shepherd Neame, Shopper Anonymous, Stephen’s, Thomson, Snell and Passmore, The University of Kent, Wilkins Kennedy FKC, High Weald AONB, The Kent Downs AONB, Kent Event Centre, and Inside Kent.
