Kent's Most Prestigious Food and Drink Awards Celebrate Landmark 20th Year with Launch Event
The Taste of Kent Awards 2026 launch event took place last night at the University of Greenwich, bringing together the county's finest food and drink businesses ahead of entries opening on 5th May.
The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) - the longest-running and most prestigious food and drink awards in the South East - celebrated the launch of its landmark 20th edition last night at a special event hosted at the University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute, Pembroke Building, Chatham Maritime.
Sponsors, previous winners, finalists, industry leaders and members of the Produced in Kent community gathered to mark the occasion, hearing from some of the sector's most celebrated businesses about the impact that winning a Taste of Kent Award has had on their success.
Organised by Produced in Kent, the county's leading membership organisation for independent food and drink businesses, the 2026 awards feature 24 categories spanning food and drink products, hospitality and retail experiences, and whole-business excellence. The Awards Ceremony will take place on 8th October 2026 at the GlassBox Theatre, Gillingham - marking the first time TOKA has been held in Medway.
The 2026 awards are made possible with the generous support of our sponsors and partners. Headline sponsor University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute is joined by Brachers, Crowe UK, Defined Wine, Digitom, EKC Group, Found Recruitment, insideKENT Magazine, Jestic Foodservice Solutions, Kent County Council, NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield, Oxbury Bank, Shepherd Neame and Southeastern Railway.
Previous winners enthused about the power of recognition
The launch event heard from three of the 2024 award winners, who spoke candidly about the difference that winning a Taste of Kent Award had made to their business.
"The awards weren't just a moment - they've been a catalyst for growth, connection, and confidence in what we're building."
"Winning the awards was fantastic, it’s great social capital, it tells everyone that you have got a product that’s been recognised as being awesome. Buyers see it and know it’s great!”
"The Taste of Kent Awards have been a real guide for us - the process of putting our products forward to be judged by peers and experts has meant we've had to look harder at what we are doing."
Free entry for hospitality and retail businesses
In a significant move for 2026, entry to all four Hospitality and Retail categories is completely free, with winners determined by a combination of public vote and expert judging. The categories - Kent Dining Experience of the Year, Kent Casual Food & Drink Experience of the Year, Kent Independent Retailer of the Year and Kent Food & Drink Market of the Year - are open to any eligible business in Kent, with the public invited to vote for their favourites from 5th May.
The decision reflects the very real challenges facing Kent's hospitality and retail sector and Produced in Kent's commitment to ensuring the awards support and remain accessible to the businesses that deserve recognition.
"Reaching our 20th year is a genuine milestone, and last night's launch was a wonderful reminder of just how much these awards mean to the businesses and communities they celebrate. We wanted to mark this anniversary by making the awards more accessible than ever - particularly for Kents’ hospitality and retail businesses who work so hard and deserve to be recognised at this challenging time. We are looking forward to see who the public in Kent votes for this year."
A new home in Medway
The 2026 ceremony takes place on 8th October at the GlassBox Theatre at MidKent College's Medway Campus - a stunning new venue for TOKA, with free on-site parking and excellent transport links. The evening will feature a Kent sparkling wine reception, an Oscar-style awards ceremony and post-awards networking celebration.
“We were delighted to host the launch and are proud to support the Taste of Kent Awards in this landmark 20th year. Kent’s food and drink sector is one of the most innovative and diverse in the UK, and these awards play a vital role in championing the businesses, producers and entrepreneurs driving that success. At NRI, we are committed to supporting sustainable, forward-looking food systems, and it’s inspiring to celebrate the talent and enterprise that continue to shape the future of the sector here in Kent and beyond."
World-class judging
The 2026 awards will be judged by a panel of industry experts including chefs, buyers, food writers and sector specialists, led by head judge Nigel Barden - one of the UK's most respected food and drink broadcasters.
Entries open 5th May 2026
Product and business category entries open on Tuesday 5th May 2026. Entry fees are £30 + VAT for Produced in Kent members and £50 + VAT for non-members. Entry to all four Hospitality and Retail categories is free via public vote.
The entry deadline is 17th June 2026. For full details of all 24 categories and to enter, visit https://tasteofkentawards.co.uk/
All images courtesy of Stepstone Imaging. Please credit Stepstone Imaging
