Kent producers go from local to global in the Great Taste Awards 2015

James Golding, The Pigs Chef Director, admiring cider at the Great Taste Awards 2015

Produced in Kent members had a fantastic result in this year’s Great Taste Awards 2015, announced on Tuesday, 4 August, with a whopping 21 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 450 expert judges who are chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers, come together for 49 tasty judging days from March through to early July.

Only 31% of the overall 10,000 entries were accredited, eight of which are also previous Taste of Kent Award winners. The lucky eight are: Samovar, Kingcott Cheese, Simply Ice Cream, Wise Owl Cider, AMC Foods, Hemings Bake House, Anno Distillers and Chegworth Valley.

Stephanie Durling from Produced in Kent commented: “We are thrilled that so many Produced in Kent members were 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 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 Stars:

Samovar - Kentish Honey Cake

2 Stars:

Kingcott Cheese - Kentish Blue

Simply Ice Cream - Cinnamon Ice Cream

1 Star:

ABO Artisan Bread Ltd - Organic Buckwheat 4 Grain Bread

AMC Foods - Ashmore Cheese & Onion Kent Crisps

AMC Foods - Kentish Oils Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil

Anno Distillers Ltd - Anno Kent Dry Gin

Chegworth Valley Ltd - Chegworth Valley Apple & Ginger Juice

Chegworth Valley Ltd - Chegworth Valley Organic Apple & Beetroot Juice

Corinne’s Creative Kitchen - Andhra Mutton Curry

Eastcourt Manor - Croissant

Fudge Kitchen - Peanut Brittle

Goddard’s Pies Limited - Spicy Lamb Pie

Hemings Bakehouse - Seeded Sourdough

O’er the Moon - Brazil Nut English Toffee Sauce

Owlet Fruit Juice - Owlet Cox & Bramley Apple Juice

Simply Ice Cream Ltd - Coconut Ice Cream

Solley’s Kentish Ice Cream - Solley’s Wild Strawberry & Cream Ice Cream,

The Fudgery - Rum & Raisin Fudge

Wild at Heart - Hedgerow Mincemeat with Crab Apples and Elderberries

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, the winners of which are chosen by the public. Voting for the Taste of Kent Awards 2016 opens in mid-September, visit here 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.”