Finalists announced as The Taste of Kent Awards launches new Food and Drink Festival
Following the announcement of the 2023 Taste of Kent Awards 51 food and drink product finalists, today it announces 24 new finalists across its business categories.
The announcement coincides with the launch of a brand-new Kent-based food and drink festival. Hosted by the Taste of the Kent Awards, the inaugural TOKA Food and Drink Festival is open to the public and trade, and attendees will have the opportunity to sample and buy the delicious food and drink products which have been shortlisted from up to 75 finalists. The festival takes place between 2 pm-6 pm on Thursday 15th June at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre at The University of Kent. Tickets cost £6 in advance, £8 on the door and under 12’s are free. Tickets are available here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/tokaawards2023/882285
The finalists for the business categories include Kent based independent retailers, food and drink markets, fine and casual dining restaurants, street food, fruit growers, farmers, and start-ups.
Floortje Hoette from Produced in Kent who run the awards explains “Whilst there is naturally a strong emphasis on food and drink produced or manufactured in Kent, The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) has always celebrated businesses growing, selling and serving great food in Kent.”
Floortje continues. “With foodservice having gone through so many difficult challenges and changes in recent years it was fantastic to visit so many great venues in Kent which are thriving and we’re extremely excited by this year’s line-up of finalists”.
All finalists will be listed in the Taste of Kent Buyers Guide and invited to attend an evening awards ceremony taking place this year at the University of Kent on the 15th of June following the TOKA Food and Drink Festival.
The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) is now in its 18th year and celebrates the tastiest food and drink of Kent. The awards shine a spotlight on the regions excellence in producing fine quality British produce.
The awards are made possible because of the generous support of TOKA’s sponsors. Southeastern, The University of Kent, Kent County Council, Brachers, Canterbury BID, Crowe UK, EKC Group, Jestic Foodservice Solutions, NFU Mutual Ashford Tenterden & Whitfield, Oxbury, Primed, Port of Dover, Shepherd Neame, the University of Greenwich, Social Enterprise Kent, Southern Co-op and Visit Kent.
For more information and the full list of finalists please go to https://tasteofkentawards.co.uk
Taste of Kent Awards 2023 business categories finalists:
Independent Retailer
- Corkk Ltd, Canterbury
- Detling Community Store, Detling
- S W Doughty Family Butchers, Doddington
Food & Drink Market
- Cliftonville Farmers’ Market, Cliftonville
- Lenham County Market, Lenham
- Penshurst Farmers Market, Penhurst
Fine Dining
- Boy’s Hall, Willesborough
- Chefs Table, West Malling
- The Sportsman, Seasalter
Casual Dining
- Marc-Pierre’s Kitchen, Ramsgate
- Papermakers Arms, Plaxtol
- THE PIG at Bridge Place, Bridge
Street Food
- Big Pan Foods Ltd, Dover
- Funky Feast Food Bazaar, Maidstone
- Pork & Co, Whitstable, Folkestone & Margate
Fruit Grower
- Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
- Clock House Farm, Coxheath
Farmer
- Bore Place – Commonwork Organic Farms Ltd. Edenbridge
- Castle Farm, Kent. Sevenoaks
- Rebel Farmer, Brook
- Whitstable Oyster Farm, Whitstable
Start Up
- Bens Kitchen, Tonbridge
- Leo & Sage, Ashford
- Ro-Gro, Sittingbourne
