insideKENT Magazine Issue 25 - April 2014 | Page 70

Produced in Kent also presented a special award
to Sian Holt, managing director of Fudge Kitchen.
After a triumphant evening, the stunning flower
arrangements on each table were auctioned off
in aid of 'mind', the mental health charity. A
generous pound-for-pound match funded by
Barclays Bank doubled the final amount raised.
2014 has provided a delightful plethora of winners
for the Taste of Kent Awards and has continued
its lasting legacy with the championing of the
very best that Kent has to offer.
Stephanie Durling of Produced in Kent,
commented: "We would like to thank the
thousands of people who took the time to vote
in this, our tenth year. We are especially delighted
that nearly 500 local businesses across the county
were nominated for the awards. The battle for
first place amongst the finalists was hard, with a
tough decision for our judges. The standard of
products, produce, shops, pubs and restaurants
is very high and Kent is firmly becoming
established as a foody destination in the UK."

This year there were a number of businesses
that were new to the list of finalists, including:
Newlands Juices, Goody Ales, Samovar, Chandler
& Dunn, The Ferry House Inn, The Three Tuns,
Rochester Farmers Market, Fruits De Mer,
Folkestone Trawlers, Whitstable Produce Store,
Rocksalt and Wyatt & Jones.
Many of last year's winners were once again in
this year’s top three, including: Little Stour
Orchards’ Juice, Gadds No 3, Biddenden Ortega,
The George Inn, Quex Barn, and The Ambrette.
Stephanie Durling concluded: "The awards were
a fantastic showcase for Kent’s food, drink and
farming. The Taste of Kent Awards is the ultimate
stamp of approval from members of the public
and confirmation of food and drink excellence.
We would like to thank Jason Freedman of The
Minnis Bar and Restaurant who prepared the
delicious three-course meal for the award’s dinner
and the Kent Event Centre at the Kent
Showground for their valuable support."
The awards are sponsored by Vertex Law, part
of Cripps Harries Hall LLP. James Beatton, a

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partner of the firm, says: "Kent is well known for
the excellence of its food and drink and the Taste
of Kent Awards are a great way to celebrate the
skill and passion of those involved in the industry.
This is the third year that Vertex Law has been
the headline sponsor and as a business that is
committed both to Kent and its food and drink
industry, we are delighted to be involved again."
This year’s awards are run with sponsorship from
Biddenden Vineyards, BTF Partnership, Chapel
Down Winery, Chapmans of Sevenoaks, EMR
(East Malling Research), Hadlow College,
Henkleman UK Ltd, Kent Downs and High Weald
AONBs, KCC (Kent County Council), kff (Kent
Frozen Foods), NFU Mutual, Opies, Rix & Kay
Solicitors, Shopper Anonymous, Shepherd
Neame, sff (Stephen’s Fresh Foods), Vertex Law,
part of Cripps Harries Hall LLP, and Wilkins
Kennedy FKC; and media partnerships with KM
Group and insideKENT Magazine.
For more info on the Taste of Kent Awards,
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