Taste of Kent Awards 2017 Winners Revealed
Credit to: http://www.producedinkent.co.uk/taste-of-kent-awards-2017-winners-revealed/
The winners of Produced in Kent’s Taste of Kent Awards have been revealed today (Thursday 9 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 finalists. This year’s awards have once again attracted thousands of vote from across the county and beyond and the results were once again 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.”
Erica Dennett, Partner at Cripps, said: “At Cripps we are stalwart supporters of the local food and drink industry and are proud to have been the main sponsor of the Taste of Kent Awards for the sixth year running. The quality of this year’s finalists has been very impressive.”
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 the produce of Kent. We would also like to thank Jason Freedman owner of Curiously Kentish for preparing an exciting Kentish dinner for us again this year and students from Mid Kent College. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Kent Event Centre and the Showground for their valuable support.
Phil Cornish, Senior Agent at NFU Mutual Ashford & Tenterden – Sponsors of the dinner reception said: “We are thrilled to have been part of the largest gathering of Kent’s food and drink producers at The Taste of Kent Awards last night. Sponsoring the Reception drinks was a pleasure and we look forward to being part of the event next year.
The contribution that food and drink make to Kent’s economy should make everyone involved with this industry proud. It was inspiring to see the diverse range of business represented from taste and flavour through to categories incorporating business contributions associated with conservation and the countryside.”
The winners in each category are:
| Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors Winner: Romney Amber – Romney Marsh Brewery, New Romney Runners-up: Good Life – Goody Ales, Herne Bay Smoked Oatmeal Stout – Boutilliers, Faversham |
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| Kent Butcher Shop of the Year, sponsored by Stephen’s Winner: S. W. Doughty, Doddington Runners up: Stour Valley Game, Chilham C A Worgans Butchers, Canterbury |
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| Kent Cider or Perry of the Year, sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy Winner: Skylark – Kentish Pip, Bekesbourne Runners up: Tenterden Cider – Gibbet Oak, Tenterden Wise Owl Medium Sparkling Cider – Wise Owl, Ashford |
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| Kent Dining Pub of the Year, sponsored by Page & Wells Winner: Samphire, Whitstable Runners up: The Ferry House Inn, Isle of Sheppey The George, Molash |
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| Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by Eurostar Winner: Sparkling Rose 2011, The Mount Vineyard, Shoreham, Sevenoaks Runners up: Gribble Bridge Sparkling Wine, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden Ortega, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden |
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| Kent Juice Producer of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son Winner: Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden Runners Up: The Cherry Berry Company, Bexleyheath Nightingales (Gibbet Oak), Tenterden |
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| Kent Tastiest Juice of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son Winner: The Cherry Berry Company, Bexleyheath Runners Up: Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden Nightingales (Gibbet Oak), Tenterden |
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| Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Opies Winner: Macknade Fine Foods, Faversham Runners Up: Gibbet Oak Farm Shop, Tenterden Groombridge Farm Shop, Groombridge |
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| Kent Fishmonger of the Year, sponsored by The University of Kent Winner: Hollowshore Fisheries, Faversham Runners up: Aldington Fresh Foods, Ashford Hales & Moore, Rainham |
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| Kent Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Shopper Anonymous Winner: Bessie’s Tea Parlour, Broadstairs Runners up: Crossways Pigs, Sissinghurst MightyFineThings, Faversham |
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| Kent Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore Winner: The Corner House, Minster Runners up: The Mulberry Tree, Boughton Monchelsea Saltwood on the Green, Saltwood |
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| Kent Farmers’ Market of the Year, sponsored by Hadlow College Winner: Tonbridge Farmers Market Runners Up: Cliftonville Farmers Market Shipbourne Farmers Market |
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| A wide range of products have also been entered for the Kent Food Product Classes Awards, sponsored by Shepherd Neame. These classes are not open to public vote and products are submitted by the businesses to an independent expert panel who then select an overall winner. | |
| Ambient Class Winner: Spicy Apple Chutney – Heidi Jane Preserves, Farningham |
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| Bakery & Confectionery Class Winner: The Captain’s Crackers Kentish Ale & Rosemary – The Zingiberi Bakery, Herne Bay |
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| Dairy Class Winner: Cowslip Butter – The Cheesemakers of Canterbury |
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| Prepared Food Class Winner: Steak & Stilton pie – Kentish Mayde, Biddenden |
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| Speciality Drinks Class Winner: Special Edition Cold Pressed Coffee – Saltwood on the Green, Saltwood |
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| Other awards presented at the dinner but which are not open to public voting, are: | |
| Kent Young Food & Farming Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Create with Impact Winner: Danielle Usherwood, Sandwich |
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| Kent Countryside Award, sponsored by Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs Joint winners: Ottinge Court Farm, Elham and Bore Place, Edenbridge |
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| Garden of England Champions – Soft Fruit, sponsored by Kent County Agricultural Society Winners: |
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| Total Berry Runwood Green Farm, Langley, Maidstone – Raspberry, Paragon variety |  |
| Robert Boucher & Son, Sittingbourne – Strawberry, Jubilee variety |  |
| A C Hulme & Son, Canterbury – Cherry, Georgia variety | |
| Garden of England Champions – Top Fruit, sponsored by BTF Partnership Winners: |
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| Bardsley Farms, Staplehurst – Apple, Rubens variety |  |
| Farmcare, Highland Court Farm, Bridge – Pear, Conference variety
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