Winners announced for the Taste of Kent Awards 2020

The winners of Produced in Kent’s Taste of Kent Awards 2020 were revealed at glittering black-tie dinner at the Kent Event Centre on Thursday 5 March and Gullands were delighted to be an award sponsor for the first time.

Over 350 people from across the food and drink sector attended the awards that celebrate Kent’s ultimate food and drink champions, from the tastiest food and drink products, best producers, growers, restaurants, pubs and shops.

Congratulations go to all of the 2020 winners:

Kent Hop Grower of the Year, sponsored by BTF Partnership and Shepherd Neame
GM Day and Sons from East Peckham, Kent

Garden of England Champion – Top Fruit, sponsored by BTF Partnership Kent’s Tastiest Apple – Jazz variety – Grown by Simon Bray, Monks Farm, Nr Sittingbourne

Kent’s Tastiest Pear – Concorde variety – Grown by Clive and Richard Edmed, Hayle Farm, Horsmonden

Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored by Eurostar International Winner: Pale Ale Mary by Northdown Brewery, Margate

Garden of England Champion – Soft fruit and Cherries, sponsored by Kent County Agricultural Society Kent’s Tastiest Cherry – Van variety grown by AC Hulme & Sons, Hoaden, near Canterbury

Kent’s Tastiest Strawberry – Katrina variety grown by B R Brooks & Son, Goodnestone, Faversham

Kent’s Tastiest Raspberry – Tulameen variety grown by J Myatt & Co, Rochester 

Kent’s Tastiest Blackberry – Victoria variety grown by Clock house Farm Ltd, Coxheath 

Kent Cider or Perry of the Year, sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy Winner: Curious Apple by Curious Brewing, Ashford

Kent Food Product classes, sponsored by Shepherd Neame

Ambient class winner: Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil by Morghew Park Estate, Tenterden
Bakery and Confectionery class winner: Kentish Apple Sourdough by The Bakehouse at 124, Tonbridge
Dairy class winner: Kingcott Blue Cheese by Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst
Prepared Food class winner: Celeriac and Apple Soup by The Speedy Snail, East Peckham
Specialist Alcoholic Drink class winner: Rosé Spritz by Maroude, Mereworth
Specialist Non-Alcoholic Drink class winner: Pineapple & Kiwi Edible Tea by Nims Fruit Products, Sittingbourne
Ambient class Highly Commended: Beef Dripping by North Downs Real Food, Lenham
Bakery and Confectionery class Highly Commended: Huffkin, Speciality Breads, Margate

Kent Farm Diversification of the Year Award, sponsored by South East Farmer Winner: Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst

Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual Winner: Sparkling Rosé by Woodchurch Vineyard, Ashford

Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Opies Winner: Flint and Oak, Westerham

Kent Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore Winner: The Small Holding, Kilndown

Kent Butcher Shop of the Year –  Winner: Hammond’s Butchers, Matfield

Kent Food Business of the Year – sponsored by Gullands Solicitors Winner: Karimix, Selling

Kent Tastiest Juice of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son Winner: Red Love Apple Juice, Biddenden Vineyards

Kent Dining Pub or Bistro of the Year – sponsored by University of Kent Winner: The Butcher’s Block, Burham

Kent Coffee Shop or Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Barretts of Canterbury Winner: Café Nucleus, Rochester

Kent Countryside Award – sponsored by Kent Downs AONB and High Weald AONB Winner: Watts Farm, Farningham
Highly Commended: Provenance Potatoes, Deal

Excellence Award for Customer Service: sponsored by insight6 Winner: The Food Shed at Spadework, Offham

Kent Food Product of the Year: sponsored by HSBC Winner: Kingcott Blue, Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst

The Taste of Kent Awards are organised by Produced in Kent and are the annual showcase of the very best products and food and drink businesses across Kent and Medway.

Marianne Webb, Partner at Gullands comments: “We were delighted to sponsor the Kent Food Business of the year and being involved behind the scenes judging the finalists who were short-listed by the public provided a fascinating insight into the hard work and dedication of businesses in the food and drink sector here in Kent.”