Two Thanet businesses have scooped prizes at the Taste of Kent awards.
The Corner House in Minster took the restaurant of the year honour while Bessie’s Tea Parlour in Broadstairs won Best Kent Food Producer.
Cliftonville Farmers’ Market scooped runner up in the farmers’ market category.
The awards, which recognise the county’s food and drink champions, were held at the Kent Event Centre, Kent in Detling last night (March 9).
Stephanie Durling, from organisers Produced in Kent, said: “We would like to congratulate the winners and all the finalists. This year’s awards have once again attracted thousands of votes from across the county and beyond and the results were once again extremely close.
“The people of Kent have chosen the flavours, products, produce and venues they have enjoyed the most over the last 12 months. The awards not only highlight the finest produce the county has to offer but, for the winners, the awards are the ultimate stamp of approval from their customers and confirmation of their food and drink excellence.”
Winners
Kent Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Shopper Anonymous
Winner: Bessie’s Tea Parlour, Broadstairs
Runners up:
Crossways Pigs, Sissinghurst
MightyFineThings, Faversham
Kent Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Thomson Snell & Passmore
Winner: The Corner House, Minster
Runners up:
The Mulberry Tree, Boughton Monchelsea
Saltwood on the Green, Saltwood
Kent Beer of the Year, sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors
Winner: Romney Amber – Romney Marsh Brewery, New Romney
Runners-up:
Good Life – Goody Ale, Herne Bay
Smoked Oatmeal Stout – Boutilliers, Faversham
Kent Butcher Shop of the Year, sponsored by Stephen’s
Winner: S. W. Doughty, Doddington
Runners up:
Stour Valley Game, Chilham
C A Worgans Butchers, Canterbury
Kent Cider or Perry of the Year, sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy
Winner: Skylark – Kentish Pip, Bekesbourne
Runners up:
Tenterden Cider – Gibbet Oak, Tenterden
Wise Owl Medium Sparkling Cider – Wise Owl, Ashford
Kent Dining Pub of the Year, sponsored by Page & Wells
Winner: Samphire, Whitstable
Runners up:
The Ferry House Inn, Isle of Sheppey
The George, Molash
Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by Eurostar
Winner: Sparkling Rose 2011, The Mount Vineyard, Shoreham, Sevenoaks
Runners up:
Gribble Bridge Sparkling Wine, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Ortega, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Kent Juice Producer of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son
Winner: Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Runners Up:
The Cherry Berry Company, Bexleyheath
Nightingales (Gibbet Oak), Tenterden
Kent Tastiest Juice of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son
Winner: The Cherry Berry Company, Bexleyheath
Runners Up:
Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Nightingales (Gibbet Oak), Tenterden
Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Opies
Winner: Macknade Fine Foods, Faversham
Runners Up:
Gibbet Oak Farm Shop, Tenterden
Groombridge Farm Shop, Groombridge
Kent Fishmonger of the Year, sponsored by The University of Kent
Winner: Hollowshore Fisheries, Faversham
Runners up:
Aldington Fresh Foods, Ashford
Hales & Moore, Rainham
Kent Farmers’ Market of the Year, sponsored by Hadlow College
Winner: Tonbridge Farmers Market
Runners Up:
Cliftonville Farmers Market
Shipbourne Farmers Market
A wide range of products have also been entered for the Kent Food Product Classes Awards, sponsored by Shepherd Neame. These classes are not open to public vote and products are submitted by the businesses to an independent expert panel who then select an overall winner.
Ambient Class
Winner: Spicy Apple Chutney by Heidi Jane Preserves, Farningham
Bakery & Confectionery Class
Winner: The Captain’s Crackers Kentish Ale & Rosemary The Zingiberri Bakery, Herne Bay
Dairy Class
Winner: Cowslip Butter Cheesemakers of Canterbury
Prepared Food Class
Winner: Steak & Stilton pie – Kentish Mayde, Biddenden
Speciality Drinks Class
Winner: Special Edition Cold Pressed Coffee – Saltwood on the Green, Saltwood
Kent Young Food & Farming Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Create with Impact
Winner: Danielle Usherwood, Sandwich
Kent Countryside Award, sponsored by Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs
Joint winners: Ottinge Court Farm, Elham and Bore Place, Edenbridge
Garden of England Champions – Soft Fruit, sponsored by Kent County Agricultural Society
Winners:
Total Berry Runwood Green Farm, Langley, Maidstone – Raspberry, Paragon variety
Robert Boucher & Son, Sittingbourne – Strawberry, Jubilee variety
A C Hulme & Son, Canterbury – Cherry, Georgia variety
Garden of England Champions – Top Fruit, sponsored by BTF Partnership
Winners:
Bardsley Farms, Staplehurst – Apple, Rubens variety
Farmcare, Highland Court Farm, Bridge – Pear, Conference variety
Find out more at www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk