Produced in Kent has announced the food and drink product shortlist for the highly anticipated Taste of Kent Awards 2024, which celebrate and showcase the tastiest food and drink that Kent has to offer.
The shortlist for the awards represents a diverse group of producers from across the county, reflecting a wide range of products -from artisanal cheeses and baked goods to craft beers and locally roasted coffees.
Susie Warran Smith, chair of Produced in Kent, said: “We are thrilled to recognise the outstanding talent within the local food and drink industry here on our doorstep.
“This year’s shortlist showcases the remarkable diversity and quality of products that our community has to offer. It is a testament to the long hours and passion these producers have given.”
Nigel Barden, national food and drink broadcaster and this year’s lead judge, led a panel of 23 judges, which included industry experts, renowned chefs and food writers.
Nigel said: “Kent is a really diverse and interesting county and I want that to be apparent in the products we’re tasting. For me, it’s important they shout Kent.”
The shortlist features products from across the entire county, including bakery products from Hythe, dairy products from Whitstable, coffee from Sevenoaks and cider from Sittingbourne.
The official judging day was held at Jestic Foodservice Solution’s test kitchen in Paddock Wood, where over 220 entries were tasted by an expert panel of judges.
At the judging event, headline sponsor Southeastern Rail was represented by their head of marketing Nikki Causer, who said: “These awards showcase the huge array of products we have here in the Garden of England. We’re excited to be involved again this year to help highlight the very best of the region.”
All finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony on 13 June at The Gulbenkian, University of Kent in Canterbury, where the winners will be revealed at a special ceremony.
The event will feature a festival market during the day to showcase the shortlisted products, providing attendees with the opportunity to sample the unique offerings and meet the producers.
Taste of Kent Awards 2024 shortlist
Kent Wine of the Year
- Canterbury Rose 2020, Simpsons Wine Estate, Canterbury
- Oasthouse Pinot Noir, Warehorne Vineyard, Warehorne
- Sparkling Ortega Demi-Sec 2021, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
- Wandering Wayfarer Bacchus 2022, Wayfarer Wines LLP, Woodchurch
Kent Cider of the Year
- Biddies Kentish Kiss, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
- Craftsman, Kentish Pip Cider, Bekesbourne
- Disco, Dudda’s Tun Cider, Doddington
Kent Savoury Bakery Product of the Year
- Dark Chocolate Sourdough, Madre Margate, Margate
- Kent Potato bun, Gilda Bakery Ltd, Bishopsbourne, Canterbury
- Malaysian Vegetable curry bun, Gilda Bakery Ltd, Bishopsbourne, Canterbury
Kent Beer of the Year
- 1698, Shepherd Neame, Faversham
- Lucky Day, Pig And Porter Ltd, Tunbridge Wells
- Wild Beer Madness, Wild Beer Co, Ashford
Kent Spirit of the Year
- 2022 Bacchus Dry Gin, Terlingham Vineyard, Folkestone
- Greensand Ridge Inbread Moonshine, Greensand Ridge Distillery, Tonbridge
- Kentish Cherry & Hibiscus, Whitstable Harbour Gin, Whitstable
- Orange and Kent Saffron Gin, Canterbury Brewers and Distillers @The Foundry Brew Pub, Canterbury
Kent Non-alcoholic Hot Drink of the Year
- Clubhouse Espresso Blend, Corban Coffee, Sevenoaks
- Decaf Earl Grey, Bergamia Tea Ltd, Sittingbourne
- English Breakfast tea, Corban Coffee, Sevenoaks
Kent Sweet Bakery Product of the Year
- Caramel Peanut Brownie, Little Sugar Ltd, Canterbury
- Pain au Chocolat, Docker Bakery, Hythe
- Rhubarb & Custard Cruffin, Docker Bakery, Hythe
Kent Sweet Pantry Product of the Year
- Foxes Honey, Fox and Son Ltd TA Foxes Honey, Herne Bay
- Rosemary’s No Added Sugar Blackcurrant No Ordinary Jam, Rosemary’s, Maidstone
- Rosemary’s No Added Sugar Strawberry and Raspberry No Ordinary Jam, Rosemary’s, Maidstone
Kent Confectionary & Snack Product of the Year
- Kent Crisps Lamb & Rosemary Bridge, Kent Crisps, Canterbury
- Kent Crisps Ashmore Cheese & Onion Bridge, Kent Crisps, Canterbury
- Really Nice Honeycomb, Fudge Kitchen, Lyminge
Kent Cheese of the Year
- Kentish Blue cheese, Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst
- Dargate Dumpy, Cheesemakers of Canterbury, Faversham
- Winnies Wheel, Cheesemakers of Canterbury & Hinxden Farm Diary, Faversham & Cranbrook
- Winterdale Shaw, Winterdale Cheesemakers, Sevenoaks
Kent Savoury Pantry Product of the Year
- A Little Bit Vegan Caesar, A Little Bit Food, Canterbury
- Kentish Oils Cold Press Rapeseed Oil blended with Lemon, Kentish Oil & Condiments, Canterbury
- Millers Choice Stone Ground Heritage Wheat Wholemeal Flour, Hinxhill Fields, Hinxhill, Ashford
- Three Fruit Chutney with Shepheard Neame ‘Whitstable Bay’ Ale, The Wooden Spoon Preserving Company, Wye, Ashford
Kent Fish or Seafood Product of the Year
- Blue Oceans Blanchbait (Panko), Blue Oceans, Ramsgate
- Hythe bay Dover sole, The Boathouse Fisheries Ltd, St Mary’s Bay
- Whitstable Pacific Rock Oysters, Whitstable Oyster Trading Company, Whitstable
Kent Dairy Product of the Year
- Blueberry-Lavender Jam, Meringue Swirl Ice cream, Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, Whitstable Cinnamon Sponge, Bramley Apple Jazz, Cream Cheese Frosting Ice cream, Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, Whitstable
- Farm Fresh Milk, Nightingale Dairy, Alkham, Dover
Kent Meat Product of the Year
- Rolled Loin of Pork, Oink and Udder, Canterbury
- Shoulder of Lamb, S W Doughty Butchers, Doddington, Sittingbourne
- Wild Fennel Salami, Wilson’s Provisions, Canterbury
Free From Product
- Caramel Peanut Brownie, Little Sugar Ltd, Canterbury
- Lamb Merquez Sausage, Perry Court Farm, Ashford
- Rhubarb & Custard Cruffin, Docker Bakery, Hythe
Kent Non-Alcoholic Cold Drink of the Year
- Biddenden Sparkling Apple Juice, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden, Ashford
- Root Ginger Drink, KORKO Ltd, Chatham
- Spiced Apple Juice, Chegworth Valley Limited, Maidstone
Kent Ready Meals & Prepared Food Product of the Year
- Boathouse Luxury Seafood platter, The Boathouse Fisheries Ltd, St Mary’s Bay
- Cherry Bakewell Cookie Dough, More Tasty Crumbs, Folkestone
- Family-Sized Steak Pie, S W Doughty Butchers, Doddington, Sittingbourne
