FOOD + DRINK
GREAT BRITISH FOOD AWARDS ACCLAIM FOR TOP KENT PRODUCERS
Including a plethora of categories from dairy and cheese to drinks and savoury preserves , the Great British Food Awards celebrate the very best of British artisanal produce in the food and drink industry , and this year ’ s awards has recognised some of Kent ’ s very best produce .
The newest flavour in the Kent Crisps ’ range , Lamb and Rosemary , which stays true to the brand ' s signature approach using grassfed Romney Lamb and packaging depicting the St Thomas Becket Church at Fairfield in New Romney , scooped the title of Best Savoury Snack . Judge , chef and restaurant owner , Richard Bainbridge , commented : “ The first thing I noticed was that the packaging was great - there was loads of information about the heritage of where the lamb came from and the rosemary , and I loved the fact that they ’ re a local product . The flavour was insane - they tasted like a Sunday roast on a crisp .”
Three of Faversham-based brewer Shepherd Neame ’ s brands - Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale ( 4.8 %), 1698 ( 6.5 %) and Orchard View cider ( 4.5 %) - achieved Highly Commended accolades . Explaining his decision to award Orchard View as Highly Commended , judge Charles Stein , director of Rick Stein , the hotel and restaurant group owned by the eponymous English celebrity chef , said : “ This cider is a total delight . It has a wonderful straw colour in the glass , with aromas of green apples and cut grass , and a real depth of the flavour . Super refreshing .”
Commenting on the win , owner of Kent Crisps , Laura Bounds MBE said : “ We always pride ourselves in producing quality British crisps that are great tasting and made using the finest ingredients , so it ' s amazing to have this recognised and receive such positive feedback about the flavour .”
NEW PARTNER FOR CURD & CURE ’ S FOOD WASTE MISSION
Kent-based cheese specialist wholesaler Curd & Cure have announced an exciting new partnership with The Real Eating Company as part of its ongoing mission to battle food waste .
Customers at The Real Eating Company ’ s coffee shops will now be able to enjoy three varieties of the delicious Rescue Range of soups , a Curd & Cure range made from rescued surplus ingredients . The soups , which were launched at the beginning of Food Waste Action Week 2021 , include original flavour Broccoli and Stilton , which is made in small batches boasting 38 % upcycled ingredients including leftover cheese , utilised broccoli stems and wonky potatoes from Kent-based Provenance Potatoes .
Commenting on the partnership , which will highlight the importance of reducing food waste with customers who can purchase the soup in all 10 stores , Jessica Honey , commercial manager , Curd & Cure said : “ We aim to redistribute as much surplus food as possible through different avenues to reach different consumers . We want to pave the way for a new generation of wholesalers who take food waste seriously and take action .”
ANNO RUMS TAKE A DARK , GOLDEN AND PINK TURN
While Shepherd Neame ’ s head brewer Mike Unsworth added : “ We are delighted that three of our brands have received national acclaim in the Great British Food Awards . We have a fantastic team of brewers at Shepherd Neame and this is well-deserved recognition for their passion , knowledge and skill .”
KENT INCLUSIONS IN WORLD ’ S BEST VINEYARDS 2022
World ’ s Best Vineyards has revealed this year ’ s top wine destinations for 2022 at an event held in Argentina ’ s wine capital , Mendoza . The annual list , which highlights the world ’ s finest and most diverse vineyards across the globe , included two inclusions from the Wine Garden of England with Balfour Winery and Gusbourne making the list at 78 and 85 respectively . There was other English acclaim at the global awards too with Nyetimber named at 93 joining Ridgeview at 73 .
Award-winning gin producer , Anno Distillers , have unveiled three delicious new rums to suit the discerning drinker . Fermented and distilled in their distillery in Marden , the rums reflect a world of smuggling , exploring and tradition . Anno ’ s Dark Spiced Rum , Owler , which illustrates a lamplit smuggler ’ s scene , boasts a base of black treacle with the distinctive flavour of tonka beans in a complex spirit that has notes of vanilla , raisin and burned sugar with a long spicy finish . Candlelight Pink Rhubarb Rum offers a fresh and sweet taste with a zesty ginger kick and a crisp finish . While Lady Franklin , the range ’ s Golden Botanical Rum , contains a melange of botanicals to offer a spicy finish with citrus notes and subtle aromas of brown sugar and tropical fruit .
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