insideKENT Magazine Issue 86 - May 2019 | Page 150

FOODNEWS
KENT BUSINESS OWNER
SCOOPS AWARDS HATTRICK
Laura Bounds, owner of Kent Crisps & Kentish Oils, has had a busy couple of months picking
up a run of awards both for the businesses and in recognition of her own achievements.
Kicking off was the Taste of Kent Awards, where Kentish Oils’ new Rapeseed Oil blended with
Garden Mint was awarded Best Ambient Food Product having faced a panel of expert judges.
The same week, Laura picked up a double award at the Kent Women in Business Awards, as
the only finalist to win two awards. The Growth Award, recognising Kent Crisps & Kentish Oils’
sustained growth since Laura took on the businesses in 2017, along with Kent Business Woman
of the Year (under five years in current role).
The third award came in the form of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business
Awards, where Kent Crisps was awarded Micro Business of the Year for the South East region,
meaning that they are now through to the national finals to be held in London on 23rd May.
10-YEAR PROJECT TO CREATE FOOD AND DRINK HUB IN KENT
COMPLETES FINAL STAGE
Having recently been named as one of Britain’s top rural businesses, the family-
owned Holwood Farm Shop in the village of Downe, has further added to its
offering by opening a new butcher’s counter. Holwood Farm Shop opened to the public in 2012, and it has since become
a thriving destination for food lovers with its farm shop and coffee shop, which
recently won an award in the Bromley Business Awards.
This latest addition completes a 10-year project to transform a once dilapidated
former dairy farm into a local food and drink hub. Recently named Best Food Business in the South East Rural Business Awards,
the new butcher’s counter completes the final stage of their project.
The Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Kim Botting, attended the official opening of the
Holwood Farm Butchery said: “It’s good to see a traditional family-run business
doing so well, and the new butchery looks fantastic. This farm shop is good for the
local community. Downe is a rural part of the borough so it’s great for local people
to be able to come and buy fresh vegetables, fresh produce and now fresh meat.” “We already have the best local fruit, vegetables and cheese in the shop, as
well as a wide selection of locally sourced drinks, but now people can purchase
everything they need to cook a full Holwood Farm menu at home,” says Gary.
When husband and wife team, Gary Mercer and Sarah Clout bought a series
of dilapidated Victorian farm buildings in the Kent countryside in 2009, they
planned to make it a one-stop shop for local residents’ food and drink needs in the
Garden of England.
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As well as the new butcher’s counter, manned by skilled butcher Ollie
Greetham, Holwood Farm already stocks more than 20 cheeses from Kent
and neighbouring counties, fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, fresh cakes,
savoury dishes and has a well-stocked deli counter with charcuterie, meats,
artisan sausage rolls and scotch eggs amongst many other delights.