Taste of Kent Awards 2016 winners revealed

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

• 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

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: 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 and Rusbridge Family Bakery

• Winner: Alexander 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. Tonbridge 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 Ale, Herne Bay

Best 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.