The Taste of Kent Awards Reveals the 2024 Food and Drink Product Shortlist
Produced in Kent is delighted to announce the food and drink product shortlist for the highly anticipated Taste of Kent Awards 2024. The awards, now in their 19th year celebrate and showcase the tastiest food and drink that Kent has to offer.
The shortlist 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. “We are thrilled to recognise the outstanding talent within the local food and drink industry here on our doorstep,” said Susie Warran Smith, Chair of Produced in Kent. “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. “Kent is a really diverse and interesting county and I want that to come through in the products that we’re tasting. For me it’s got to shout Kent,” said Nigel. 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, “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.” Product Director at Jestic, Michael Eyre, said: “We’re honoured to host the judging day here, I’ve been working in the industry for 35 years and it’s exciting to see that Kent is still leading in terms of innovation, ingenuity and fantastic flavours.”
All finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony on 13th 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.
Tickets for the festival and awards ceremony will be available from 7th May, and can be booked directly from Ticket Tailor. For more information, please visit here.
The Taste of Kent Awards 2024 Shortlist:
Kent Wine of 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
