insideKENT Magazine Issue 37 - April 2015 | Page 63

FOOD+DRINK

Taste of Kent Awards
2015 winners revealed

Kent’s ultimate food and drink heroes, the winners of Produced in Kent’s
Taste of Kent Awards 2015, were announced at a black tie dinner held at the
Kent County Showground this March.

2015 TOKA Winner's Group

Stephanie Durling of Produced in Kent, comments: “Congratulations
to all of the winners and finalists. The competition this year has been
exceptionally close and all of the judges, mystery shoppe rs and secret
diners have had some challenging decisions to make.

maintained, and to see the variety of local produce being grown,
made, sold, sourced and served across the county.”
Stephanie Durling continues: “The awards highlight the very finest
produce the county has to offer. For the winners, the Taste of Kent
Awards are the ultimate accolade in the Kentish food and drink sector,
but it is not just about celebrating great tasting food once a year. If
we all sourced 10% of our weekly groceries from Kent producers,
retailers and farmers’ markets, we can help to generate over £185
million for our local economy.”

“From the record number of businesses nominated, to the thousands
of people who took the time to vote for the three finalists in each
category, this year has again demonstrated the public’s enthusiasm
for good quality Kentish produce.”
Pete Kenyon, partner at Cripps LLP, the awards’ main sponsor, said:
“Tonight’s awards showcase the exceptional level of passion and skill
that make up Kent’s food and drink industry. We are very pleased to
be supporting the awards for the fourth consecutive year and are
hugely encouraged again, to see such high standards being

Stephanie Durling concludes: “We would like to thank Maddie Allen
and the team of Mama Feelgoods from Bekesbourne near Canterbury
for preparing the delicious three-course meal and the Kent Event
Centre at the Kent Showground for its valuable support.”

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