Taste of Kent Awards 2022 Finalists Announced

by Jo Gurr

The Stars of the Kent Foodie Scene are Revealed: The Taste of Kent Awards Announce the Finalists for 2022

After a flurry of last-minute votes, public voting for the Taste of Kent Awards is now closed. Produced in Kent is delighted to reveal the finalists for 2022, featuring both well-established businesses and new, green companies.

The votes are in…. • Public voting once again exceeded expectations, with over 30,000 votes cast in the various food and drink categories. • Voting in the hospitality categories increased by 11% this year, proving that since the start of Covid-19 the public have a new found appreciation for local restaurants and pubs. • In the self-nominated categories, the Farmer of the Year award had an notable increase in applications, and both new categories - New

Food and Drink Product and Food and Drink

Start-up of the Year – saw strong applications.

CE of Produced in Kent Floortje Hoette is delighted with the public outpouring of support “The Taste of Kent Awards are proof that the general public LOVES local food and drink and wants to support the businesses involved, which gives our sector the boost it so deserves in these ongoing challenging times. From the increase in votes in certain categories we can see that support for local pubs and restaurants is at an all time high after a very challenging period for hospitality. There's also a real sense that Kent's entrepreneurial spirit is still going strong with a brilliant response to our new product and start-up categories. I am incredibly proud of the finalists and know the judges will have a hard time choosing who will go home with an award!”

Awards Ceremony The three finalists in each category will now enter the final stage of the competition. They will be scrutinised by a carefully selected group of judges – industry experts and sponsors - who will decide which businesses are to be crowned winners at the awards ceremony on Thursday 12th of May at the Kent Event Centre, Detling. Tickets for the much anticipated black-tie dinner ceremony will be on sale to the general public from Monday 21 March onwards.

Tickets are limited, so if you need a glamourous night out at a fabulous event, an opportunity to mingle with the great and the good from Kent’s local independent food and drink community, whilst also enjoying a fabulous 3-course menu served by The Curious Eatery, make sure to book your tickets as soon as possible! Follow Produced in Kent for updates on ticket sales and more info about the finalists. The awards are made possible because of the generous support of TOKA’s loyal sponsors, and in particular head sponsors Southeastern Rail and the University of Greenwich. Nazanin Zand, Associate professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Greenwich said “As consumers we are thinking more carefully about what we eat and where our food comes from. The University is keen to support the local independent food industry because of the role they play in a healthy and more sustainable diet.’

Sustainability will be a leading theme in the 2022 edition of the TOKA magazine. Following the success of last year, the magazine will again be produced in time for the dinner event, celebrating the finalists and winners and sharing the stories of the businesses and products. Also included, will be detailed recipes and fabulous food hacks utilising the winning products. In the dedicated sustainability section, the magazine will showcase the ways in which TOKA businesses are looking after our planet and embracing sustainability.

Kent Ambient Product of the Year, sponsored by Crowe Brays Bees’ Honey The Bakehouse at 124’s Greengage & Almond Jam Carringtons’ Chillichup

Kent Bakery or Confectionery Product of the year, sponsored by A C Goatham & Sons Crumbs & Treacle’s Caramel Conflake Brownie Square Macie Cakes’ Salted Caramel Millionaires Shortbread The Breadsmith’s 6 Seeded Sourdough Loaf

Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield Session Pale Ale by Cellar Head Brewing Co Gadds' No.3 by Ramsgate Brewery Bitter - by Iron Pier

Kent Cafe of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore Bears Trading Company, Tankerton The Cavendish, Bearsted Aunt Sally's Kitchen, Maidstone

Kent Cider of the Year, sponsored by A C Goatham & Sons High Diver by Kentish Pip DISCO by Dudda's Tun Cider Apple Pie Cider by Turners Cider

Kent Dairy Product of the year, sponsored by BTF Partnership Ashmore Cheese by The Cheesemakers of Canterbury Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream by Solley's Ice Cream Kentish Blue Cheese by Kingcott Dairy

Kent Dining Pub of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore The Butchers Block, Burham The Black Horse, Thurnham The Tiger Inn, Stowting

Kent Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Barretts Macknade, Faversham Detling Community Store Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst

Kent Non Alcoholic Drink of the Year, sponsored by Barretts Biddenden Vineyards Sparkling Apple Juice Dallaways Kentish Cherry Juice Coffee Bean Shop’s Breakfast Blend

Kent Prepared Food Product of the Year, sponsored by Macknade Ashmore Cheese & Onion Crisps by Kent Crisps Kentish Pasty by The Bakehouse at 124 Caramelised Onion Sausage Roll by Dine Thyme

Kent Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore The Small Holding, Kilndown The Bao Baron, Folkestone The Waterfront, Hythe Kent Spirit of the Year, sponsored by Gullands Solicitors Ranscombe Wild Gin by The Maidstone Distillery Anno Kent Dry Gin by Anno Distillers Damson Gin by Copper Rivet Distillery

Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by Furley Page and NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield Chapel Down Bacchus The Mount Vineyard Sparkling Red Balfour Brut Rose

Non-Voting Categories

Kent Community Award, sponsored by Crowe UK Barham Village Store, Barham Communigrow, Maidstone Lily’s Kitchen, Canterbury

Kent Diversification Award, sponsored by Gullands Solicitors Buoy & Oyster, Margate Wild Box, Folkestone Reuthes, Sevenoaks

Kent Farmer of the Year, sponsored by BTF Partnership Nonington Farm, Goodnestone Loddington Farm, Maidstone G L Boulden & Sons, Romney Marsh

Kent Food or Drink Business of the Year sponsored by Southern Coop Old Dairy Brewery, Tenterden Provenance Potatoes, Thanet Wonderchup, Goudhurst

Kent Start-up Food & Drink Business of the Year, sponsored by Furley Page Anne's Restaurant, Folkestone Nomad Pizza, Whitstable Oink & Udder, Canterbury

Kent Sustainable Food & Drink of the Year, sponsored by Shepherd Neame Frasers, Egerton Kent Veg Box, Maidstone Ramsgate Brewery, Thanet

New Kent Food & Drink Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Coop Rescue Range Broccoli & Stilton Soup by Curd & Cure Green Hop IPA by Old Dairy Brewery Rhubarb Fizz by J Myatt & co

For further information or interviews please contact Claire Hernandez at Sharp Relations via claire@sharprelations.com