Taste of Kent Awards revealed

The champions of the Taste of Kent awards have been unveiled this week.

The county's 'food and drink Oscars' acknowledged the very best products and producers in the region, together with the most outstanding retailers, restaurants, pubs and farmers' markets.

Companies nominated by the general public in the first round of judging received over 10,000 votes of confidence from consumers – a massive 89% increase on last year's voting. It was then left to expert panels of judges, mystery shoppers and mystery diners to select the 12 award winners from the short-list of 36 finalists.

The following took to the stage to receive their awards:

Kent Restaurant of the Year Award went to The Mulberry Tree in Boughton Monchelsea  – (from left to right) John Warnett and Julia George of BBC Radio Kent with winners Karen Phillips and Mark Jones of The Mulberry Tree and award sponsor Amanda Cottrell of Visit Kent

Kent Farmers' Market of the Year (sponsored by Hadlow College) – Bob Taylor of Shipbourne Farmers' Market

Kent Butcher/Producer of the Year (sponsored by SEEDA) – Lee Moore and Nicky O'Sullivan of The Butcher of Brogdale

Best Kentish Cider or Perry (sponsored by WK Finn Kelcey) – Julian Barnes of Biddenden Vineyards

Kent Food Producer of the Year (sponsored by Barclays Bank) – Isobel Moore and Tina Cesbron of The Chai Stop

Kent Juice Producer of the Year –  Nicholas Moor and Richard Castle of Moor Organic Juice

Kent Pub of the Year – Louise and Kevin Costello of The Haywain

Kent Local Retailer of the Year – Stephen Cuomo of Macknade Fine Foods

Best Kentish Beer – Lois and Eddie Gadd of Ramsgate Brewery

Kent Food and Drink Product of the Year – Jane Bowyer of Cheesemakers of Canterbury

Kent Seafood Retailer of the Year – Jonathan Dunhill of Eddie Gilberts

Best Kentish Wine – Julian and Sally Barnes of Biddenden Vineyards

The awards took place at the Fairfax Hall, in the shadow of Leeds Castle on Friday 26 February.

Words: Maria Bracken

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