Carol
FOOD + DRINK
Alongside the product awards, Gold awards went to Kent’ s best retailers, markets, hospitality and food and drink businesses, including:
• Kent Independent Retailer of the Year- Groombridge Farm Shop, Groombridge
• Kent Food & Drink Market of the Year- Lenham Country Market, Lenham
• Kent Dining Experience of the Year- Drift., Whitstable
• Kent Casual Food & Drink Experience of the Year- Woodchurch Wine Estate, Woodchurch
• Kent Sustainable Business of the Year- HatHats Coffee Company, Whitstable
• Kent Food & Drink Innovation Award- Speciality Breads, Margate
Drift. impressed the judges with its ambition: cooking over coals in a 12-cover room, with meat and fish sourced locally and ice cream from fellow Gold winner Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, two doors down. It was an exceptionally strong final, with only one average point out of 80 separating the top two.
Groombridge Farm Shop scored a perfect 100 % across every section of its mystery shop, and Lenham Country Market scored full marks for what was inside the market. HatHats Coffee Company was recognised for going above and beyond in sustainable business practice while giving back to the local community.
The evening also saw the first Kent Food & Drink Superstar Award, sponsored by Found Food & Drink, which recognises the people behind the scenes who make a real difference to a business. The first winner is Daniel Jackson, Production Manager at Speciality Breads, who joined the company at 15 doing parttime cleaning. He was central to commissioning the business’ s new Eden House site, moving from traditional bakery equipment to a fully automated production line, and has recruited, trained and supported colleagues along the way. Highly Commended awards went to Sophie Strotton, Operations Manager at Garage Coffee, and Brendan Fox, Group Operations Director at Kent Crisps, Kentish Oils and Curd & Cure.
The Taste of Kent Awards are organised and hosted by Produced in Kent. Executive chair, Carol Ford, said:“ 20 years on, the Taste of Kent Awards are still showing just how much talent we have in this county. The range and quality this year, from a cider made by the fourth generation of a farming family to a restaurant just six months old, shows Kent’ s food and drink scene is in brilliant shape. Congratulations to every winner and finalist, and thank you to our judges for their time and expertise, and to our sponsors, who make the awards possible.”
A special award was presented to Produced in Kent’ s Patron, Amanda Cottrell OBE, DL. JP, in recognition of her unwavering support and promotion of all things Kent food and drink related for the last 20 years.
For more information and the full list of winners, including Silver, Bronze and Highly Commended awards, visit: tasteofkentawards. co. uk.
BUY FIVE: KENT GIFTS WITH SOMETHING TO SAY
Produced in Kent isn’ t just about the county’ s food and drink. We’ re just as proud of the makers and crafters working away in sheds, studios and spare rooms across the county. This year’ s Buy Five swaps forks for finished pieces- five Kent-made gifts worth wrapping.
Allura Crafts in Sittingbourne create bold, handmade earrings that are less about accessorising and more about saying something. Each pair leans into individuality, sustainability and originality, so they suit anyone who’ d rather wear a story than a trend.
Over in Dartford, Superfly Soap are great for the person who’ s impossible to buy for. Anna handmakes every soap, shampoo and conditioning bar in her studio using traditional techniques; they’ re vegan-friendly and crueltyfree throughout. A stack of her bars wrapped in brown paper is one of the easiest, kindest gifts going.
Then, of course because I’ m a Medway girl, I’ m going to give a shoutout to two Medway makers. First, Cupcakes n’ Crafts, run by Sue and Adrian from their home in Walderslade. Sue’ s cupcakes, made to order and themed for any occasion, are fabulous, but it’ s Adrian’ s stainedglass work that would make the most wonderful gift: pictures, handcrafted mirror frames and suncatchers of all sizes to suit most budgets. Find them at Aylesford Farmers’ Market, plus markets and fairs across the county.
Second is Kent Glass Engraving in Gillingham. Ben and Heather can etch a birthday message, a wedding date or a bespoke design onto glass and their personalised baubles would make a perfect, thoughtful gift for anyone.
And finally, The Little Organic Company; you’ ll find them online and out at events across Kent. Their skincare range is natural, organic and vegan, with sustainable sourcing and minimal packaging built into everything they make.
You don’ t need a totally Kentish Christmas to make a difference. Just five gifts from this list, swapped in among everything else on your shopping list, is enough to put real money back into Kent’ s economy. That’ s a Christmas list worth starting early.
Carol
CAROL FORD CHAIR OF PRODUCED IN KENT producedinkent. co. uk producedinkent www. insidekent. co. uk • 121