insideKENT Magazine Issue 73 - April 2018 | Page 92

FOOD+DRINK
AND THE WINNER IS…
Winners announced for the Taste of Kent Awards 2018
THE WINNERS OF PRODUCED IN KENT’S TASTE OF KENT AWARDS 2018
WERE REVEALED AT A GLITTERING BLACK-TIE DINNER AT THE KENT EVENT
CENTRE IN MARCH. KENT’S ULTIMATE FOOD AND DRINK CHAMPIONS HAVE
BEEN CROWNED, FROM THE TASTIEST FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCTS, BEST
PRODUCERS, RESTAURANTS, PUBS AND SHOPS.
Stephanie Durling at Produced in Kent comments: “Congratulations
to all of the winners and finalists. They should be thrilled at making it
through to the final phase, as the results are always close and the judging
is difficult as the standards are so high. The winners have however
shone above the competition to be named the tastiest or the best. We
were delighted this year to see some new names amongst the finalists
including Barham Village Store, Southborough Butchers, Austen’s,
Rockin Robin, Turners Cider, The Buoy & Oyster, The Carriage Restaurant
and Hop & Huffkin. There are also more finalists from the Weald of
Kent too. Thousands of people and producers have taken part in the
voting from all over the county and beyond. The people of Kent have
chosen the flavours, products, produce and venues they have enjoyed
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the most over the last 12 months. For the winners, these awards are the
ultimate accolade from their customers and confirmation of their food
and drink excellence.”
Victoria Symons, head of the Food and Drink team at Cripps, said: “As
committed supporters of the Kent food and drink industry we are
extremely proud to have been the main sponsor of the Taste of Kent
Awards for the seventh year running. As you would expect, the standard
of nominations has been exceedingly high and reflective of the rich
and diverse range of food and drink businesses we are lucky enough
to have on our doorstep.”