Finalists revealed - Taste of Kent Awards 2021

Public voting has now closed and Produced in Kent is delighted to reveal the finalists for the Taste of Kent Awards 2021 (TOKA)

Floortje Hoette, CE at Produced in Kent,

Floortje Hoette, CE at Produced in Kent,

The top three finalists in each category will now enter the final stages of the competition. They will be scrutinised by the judges who will decide which businesses are to be crowned winners at the virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday the 11th of May, which will be open to the general public.  

In a new twist, an exciting magazine called Taste of Kent 2021 celebrating the finalists and winners and sharing the stories of the businesses and products will be issued in the same week as the planned re-opening of pubs and restaurants on the 17th of May.

The magazine will also provide detailed recipes and fabulous food hacks utilising the winning products. In a special sustainability section, the magazine will showcase the ways in which TOKA businesses are looking after our planet and embracing sustainability.

Demonstrating the growing interest of the public in local and sustainable produce, votes increased by 300% this year, to 41,000 votes. This surge of interest has seen an increase in both the public voting and entries in self-nominating categories; Diversification, Community, Sustainable Business, and Grower of the Year. A testament to all the incredible hard work that business owners have put into innovating and/or pivoting their business, becoming more sustainable, and giving back to the community in what has been a very challenging year.

Floortje Hoette, CE at Produced in Kent, said: “The sheer number of votes received this year is astounding. We’re blown away by the support from Kent residents to champion and celebrate their favourite local businesses. The numbers are unlike any we have seen before. 41,000 votes were counted this year compared to 13,000 last year! After the year everyone has lived through, this years’ TOKA will be a celebration like no other. We are very much looking forward to discovering and announcing the winners on May the 11th in our virtual ceremony, and we are very grateful for the support of our sponsors NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield, Southern Co-op, and Southeastern who have made all this possible”.

 

All finalists will be examined by an expert panel of judges, consisting of sponsor representatives, Kent food lovers, and the founder of the Great Taste of Britain Awards, John Farrand. 

 

The shortlisted Kent Community Award Heroes are:

Emma from Emma’s Kitchen, East Peckham

Paul & Rani Babra from Karara, Faversham/Canterbury

Ben from Modern Provider, Margate

Eli and Heather from Olbys Soul Café, Margate

 

The finalists in the self-nominated categories are:

 

Diversification Award, sponsored by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Foodari Home Delivery

The Meatball Company

Wildbox

Food and Drink Business of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

Café Nucleus

Gusbourne

Kent Crisps

Grower of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Eckley Farms

Paley Farm

Walmestone Growers

Sustainable Food and Drink Business of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

The Curious Eatery

Goupie

Provenance Potatoes

 

The top three finalists in each of the categories that are voted for by the public (in no particular order) are:

 

Kent Ambient Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op

Brisket and barrel      Ketchup Smoké

Carringtons               Chillichup

Jam Face Jams          Chipotle and Habanero chilli jam

Kent Bakery and Confectionery Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op

Beardy Baker                                 Chocolate Brownies

Dockers Bakery & Brewery              Sourdough Loaf

The Independent Baker                   Classic Raspberry Jam Doughnuts 

Kent Beer of the year, sponsored by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Cellar Head Brewing Co        Session Pale Ale

Romney Marsh Brewery        Amber Ale

Wantsum Brewery                Hurricane

Kent Cider or Perry of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op

Canterbury Cider Limited       Basher Original

Curious Brew                       Curious Brew apple

Dudda's Tun Cider                DISCO

Kent Dairy Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op

Ben and Holly's Little Dairy    Whole Milk

Kingcott Dairy                      Kentish Blue Cheese

Street Farm Dairy                 Free Range Double Cream

Kent Distillery of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Anno Distillers                     Anno Kent Dry Gin

Copper Rivet Distillery           Dockyard Gin

Maidstone Distillery              George Bishop London Dry Gin

Kent Hospitality Business of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

The Ambrette Canterbury

The Butchers Block Burham

Cafe Nucleus Rochester

Kent Non-Alcoholic Drink Product of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

Bean Smitten            Revive Blend

Garage Roasted         Maypole Blend Coffee

Lost Sheep Coffee      Get to the Hopper blend

Kent Prepared Food Product of the Year, sponsored by Southern Co-op

Moons Green Charcuterie      Original Beer Sticks

Tankerton Smokeshed          Scottish Smoked Salmon

Worgans farm shop              Pork pie

Kent Retail Business of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

Foodari Home Delivery

Quex Barn

Watts Farms

Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual - Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Chapel Down             Bacchus

Herbert Hall Winery   Herbert Hall Brut Sparkling Wine

The Mount Vineyard   The Mount Vineyard Sparkling Rose 2015

Kent Food Product of the Year

The finalists and winner in this category will be announced at the virtual award ceremony on the 11th of May.

You can register to order a free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-taste-of-kent-awards-ceremony-tickets-145986352109