Leading Kent food and drink producers, farmers and restaurants were amongst those recognised at this year’s Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA), which took place last night (Thursday 13 June) at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury.
Now in its 19th year, the awards – organised by Produced in Kent – celebrate food and drink excellence across the county. 2024’s event was sponsored by a range of local businesses, including head sponsors the University of Kent and Southeastern.
Accolades went to businesses across the county, including ice cream innovators Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, based in Whitstable, Canterbury craft cider makers Kentish Pip Cider, and dining destination Boys Hall in Ashford.
A panel of judges, led by experienced head judge and food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden, blind tasted a variety of products from across the county – from Rock oysters and Romney Marsh lamb to Vegetable Curry Buns and Cherry & Hibiscus Gin.
It was a winning night for Canterbury-based bakery Little Sugar, which took home both ‘Free-From Product of the Year’ and ‘Sweet Bakery Product of the Year’ for its Caramel Peanut Brownie.
Meanwhile, Winterdale Shaw won ‘Cheese of the Year’, Wandering Wayfarer Bacchus 2022 was named ‘Wine of the Year’ and Whitstable Oyster Trading Company took home the ‘Fish or Seafood Product of the Year’ for its Pacific Rock Oysters.
As well as recognising Kent products for taste, a series of awards were made to businesses for their overall contribution, including:
- ‘Farm of the Year’ – awarded to Kingcott Dairy in Staplehurst
- ‘Start-Up Food & Drink Business of the Year’ – awarded to Nightingale Dairy in Alkham
- ‘Kent Community Award’ – awarded to Lily’s Social Kitchen
Nightingale Dairy was recognised for Kent’s first-ever mobile milk vending machine. Launched last summer, it is self-serve, offering fresh milk, milkshakes and frappes, made using milk from the family farm’s herd of rare and native breed cattle in the Alkham Valley.
The special ‘Kent Community Award’ went to Lily’s Social Kitchen for providing employment and training for people with neurodiversity or learning disabilities in Canterbury, Ashford and Maidstone. Work placements and training take place in cafes, coffee shops and a catering business, where local communities can access affordable food.
Produced in Kent CEO Susie Warran Smith said: “This event is the culmination of months of judging and tasting. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our judges and congratulate the worthy winners.
“Time and again, these awards demonstrate the incredible talent, innovation and heritage we have here in Kent. The range of produce we have seen is really quite astounding – we have much to be proud of!”
The Taste of Kent Awards Food and Drink Festival was held before the awards ceremony. After a successful introduction last year, this public event showcases the shortlisted products and enables the local community to taste and buy from the best in Kent.
The awards are made possible because of the generous support of TOKA’s sponsors: Southeastern, The University of Kent, Brachers, Crowe UK, Digitom, EKC Group, Financial Advice & Services Ltd, GrowUp Farms, Jestic Foodservice Solutions, kff, NFU Mutual Ashford Tenterden & Whitfield, Oxbury, Port of Dover, Shepherd Neame, Social Enterprise Kent, Southern Co-op, and the University of Greenwich.
Full list of winners:
Kent Savoury Pantry Product of the Year
Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil blended with Lemon, Kentish Oil & Condiments, Canterbury
Kent Sweet Pantry Product of the Year
No Added Sugar Blackcurrant No Ordinary Jam, Rosemary’s, Maidstone
Kent Savoury Bakery Product of the Year
Malaysian Vegetable Curry Bun, Gilda Bakery Ltd, Bishopsbourne, Canterbury
Kent Sweet Bakery Product of the Year
Caramel Peanut Brownie, Little Sugar Ltd, Canterbury
Kent Confectionery or Snack Product of the Year
Lamb & Rosemary Crisps, Kent Crisps, Bridge, Canterbury
Kent Cheese of the Year
Winterdale Shaw, Winterdale Cheesemakers, Sevenoaks
Kent Dairy Product of the Year
Blueberry-Lavender Jam, Meringue Swirl Ice Cream, Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, Whitstable
Kent Meat Product of the Year
Shoulder of Lamb, S W Doughty Butchers, Doddington, Sittingbourne
Kent Fish or Seafood Product of the Year
Whitstable Pacific Rock Oysters, Whitstable Oyster Trading Company, Whitstable
Kent Ready Meal or Prepared Food Product of the Year
Luxury Seafood Platter, The Boathouse Fisheries Ltd, St Mary’s Bay
Kent Non-Alcoholic Cold Drink of the Year
Sparkling Apple Juice, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Kent Non-Alcoholic Hot Drink of the Year
Decaf Earl Grey, Bergamia Tea Ltd, Sittingbourne
Kent Free-From Product of the Year
Caramel Peanut Brownie, Little Sugar Ltd, Canterbury
Kent Spirit of the Year
Kentish Cherry & Hibiscus, Whitstable Harbour Gin, Whitstable
Kent Beer of the Year
Lucky Day, Pig And Porter Ltd, Tunbridge Wells
Kent Wine of the Year
Wandering Wayfarer Bacchus 2022, Wayfarer Wines LLP, Woodchurch
Kent Cider of the Year
Craftsman, Kentish Pip Cider, Bekesbourne, Canterbury
Kent Independent Retailer of the Year
Loddington Farm Shop, Boughton Monchelsea
Kent Food and Drink Market of the Year
West Malling Farmers’ Market, West Malling
Kent Fine Dining Experience of the Year
The Smallholding, Kilndown
Kent Casual Dining Experience of the Year
Boys Hall, Willesborough, Ashford
Kent Café, Coffee Shop or Tea Room of the Year
Kin Coffee, Staplehurst
Kent Farm of the Year
Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst
Kent Start-up Food and Drink Business of the Year
Nightingale Dairy, Alkham
Kent Sustainable Business of the Year
Clock House Farm, Coxheath
Kent Free-From Business of the Year
A Little Bit Food, Bridge, Canterbury
Kent Community Award
Lily’s Social Kitchen, Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone
