STORY- FOOD & DRINK NEWS
FOOD + DRINK
SHEPHERD NEAME AND BROMLEY FOOTBALL CLUB UNVEIL NEW BAR
Supporters returning to Bromley Football Club for the new football season will find a newly refurbished Ravens’ Nest bar, following investment by independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame.
GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2026 WINNERS ANNOUNCED- OVER 20 STARS FOR KENT!
The Guide of Fine Food has announced the results of this year’ s Great Taste Awards. Among the 661 award-winning entries from the South East, there were a total of 483‘ 1-star’ awards, 160‘ 2-star’ awards and 18‘ 3-star’ awards.
Kent’ s winners include Gilda Bakery, N2 Sweet Lab, Bennett Opie, Plurenden Manor, Chegworth Valley, Kent Crisps and more.
The Great Taste Awards are organised and run by the Guild of Fine Food. Now in their 33rd year, the awards are considered the largest, longest standing and most respected food and drink accreditation scheme in the world, championing artisan and speciality producers. Over 105 days,
800 industry experts, including chefs, critics, retailers and writers, assessed each product, considering taste, appearance, aroma, texture and mouthfeel.
“ Food security is becoming an increasingly pressing issue across the globe, so it feels more pertinent now than at any other time in our 33-year history to be supporting and promoting independent producers and retailers,” said managing director, John Farrand.
“ Great Taste is all about celebrating craftsmanship and dedication to well sourced local ingredients and traditional, often simple production methods.”
UK’ S FIRST DEDICATED CONDIMENT SHOP OPENS IN ROCHESTER
The brewer, which became the National League club’ s official drinks supplier in 2022, recently extended its pouring rights partnership until 2032. The Ravens’ Nest project has been six months in the making and forms part of Shepherd Neame’ s ongoing investment in the club.
Located within the fan zone, the container bar serves a range of Shepherd Neame beers on draught including Spitfire Lager, Whitstable Bay Lager, First Drop and Orchard View Cider. It also offers bottled Singha premium Thai lager, brewed under licence by Shepherd Neame, along with wines, spirits and soft drinks.
“ We’ re delighted to unveil the new-look Ravens’ Nest ahead of the new season,” said Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame.“ Our relationship with Bromley Football Club continues to go from strength to strength and this latest investment reflects our shared ambition to enhance the matchday experience. The new Spitfire Lager branding gives the bar a fresh new identity, while our extended partnership until 2032 demonstrates our long-term commitment to the club and its supporters.”
Haus of Condiments, the UK’ s first shop devoted entirely to condiments, pickles, seasonings and sauces, has opened on Rochester’ s High Street.
Club Maniac, offering exclusive products and experiences, early-access launches and special events throughout the year.
Created by multiple Great Taste Awardwinning brand Condimaniac, the new store brings together a range of products designed to elevate everyday meals.
Founded by Jennifer Dreier and Kier Kemp, Condimaniac has built a reputation for creating innovative products. The brand has earned multiple accolades, while Kier was handpicked by Gordan Ramsay to appear on BBC’ s Future Food Stars, bringing Condimaniac’ s‘ better than what’ s on the supermarket shelf’ philosophy to a national audience.
Visitors to the new store can browse Condimaniac’ s best sellers, limited-edition products and store exclusives, alongside the signature Pickle & Mix experience, where customers can build their own selection of pickled treats.
Looking ahead, the venue will become home to The Sorcery in 2027- a dedicated clubhouse space for members of Condimaniac’ s subscription community, www. insidekent. co. uk • 113