KENT CROWNS ITS FOOD & DRINK HEROES FOR 2022
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE TASTE OF KENT AWARDS
PRODUCEDINKENT
IN A GLITZY CEREMONY AT THE KENT EVENT CENTRE – THE FIRST SINCE 2020 , THE WINNERS OF KENT ’ S FOOD AND DRINK OSCARS EQUIVALENT , THE TASTE OF KENT AWARDS , WERE ANNOUNCED IN A JOYOUS IN-PERSON GATHERING OF THE FINALISTS .
Produced in Kent ’ s annual flagship award event sees the coming together of the finest producers , farmers , retailers , and hospitality businesses for a celebration of the best in the Garden of England . Following the first round of public voting to determine the finalists , it was down to industry specialists to judge the best tasting creations from across the county .
Attendees enjoyed a fabulous 3 course meal created by The Curious Eatery , as well as cocktails and treats from finalists Wild Box , The Cheesemakers of Canterbury , Kingcott Dairy and Solley ’ s Ice Cream .
400 guests , including TOKA media partner insideKENT , gathered to watch the crowning of Kent ’ s food and drink champions : featuring honey , cheese , ale , cider , and pies among the winning products . While the winning retailers , pubs and restaurants traversed the entire map of Kent .
The winners :
• The Small Holding in Kilndown scooped the prestigious Restaurant of the Year award with the judges describing it as an unforgettable rural delight .
• The Kent Sustainable Food & Drink Award went to restaurant and rural event venue , Frasers .
The judges praised their sustainability efforts in working with a network of partners to champion the business as an ‘ environmental and educational resource ’.
• Provenance Potatoes took home the Kent Food and Drink Business Award after being recognised for linking local farms and using innovative solutions to reduce their carbon footprint .
After enormous support for Kent food and drink during the recent pandemic , Floortje Hoette , chief executive of Produced in Kent , is delighted to see that the public ’ s support for local remains high and applauded the outstanding standard of this year ’ s finalists . “ The judges and I were blown away by the exceptional quality of food and drink we have here in Kent , and it ’ s wonderful to see the support for buying local hasn ’ t faded post-pandemic ” explains Floortje .
The importance of food & drink in the county
Known as the Garden of England , Kent still plays a pivotal role in the food and drink economy , with the national food and drink industry contributing £ 30bn to the economy annually . Having survived a turbulent couple of years , the Taste of Kent finalists have had to adapt , pivot , and diversify to thrive and are now adjusting to the new economic challenges ahead .
Recognised as a public endorsement of the best food and drink in Kent , the Taste of Kent Awards aim to drive new interest and growth for the producers , retailers , farmers , pubs and restaurants in Kent .
Speaking about the winners and finalists this year , Floortje Hoette said : “ they have shown innovation , diversification , sustainable practices , and immense talent within their specialist fields , it makes me enormously proud to spotlight these Kent businesses . I ’ d like to add a special thank you to the headline sponsors of this year ’ s event , Southeastern and The University of Greenwich , without which the finalists would not have had their moment in the limelight and the awards would not have been possible .”
Supporting Food Friends
This year , Produced in Kent are supporting Food Friends as their nominated charity . Food Friends work to combat social isolation and loneliness in communities through food and friendship . During the awards evening , a raffle was held with tickets to The Wine Garden of England Summer Festival , and The Wine Weekend as the prize . All proceeds will be donated to Food Friends .
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