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2024

Taste of Kent Awards announces 2023 food and drink product finalists

51 outstanding food and drink products from across Kent shortlisted as finalists for the 2023 awards

Judging group resized

Following a successful judging day held at Jestic Foodservice Solution’s test kitchen in Paddock Wood, The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) has shortlisted 51 outstanding food and drink products from across Kent as finalists for the 2023 awards.

Products which made the list came from across the entire county including delicious seafood from Whitstable, wine from Canterbury, dairy from Benenden, and cheese from Faversham to name a few.

Nigel Barden, national food and drink broadcaster and this year’s lead judge, headed up a stellar judging panel of more than 20 judges, which included renowned chefs and food writers. Nigel comments. “Kent’s a remarkable county, 1500 square miles chock full of great products, producers and farmers. We assembled a fantastic judging panel of food and drink journalists, chefs, buyers, and producers. I always like to taste blind; I don’t want to be too skewed by the packaging, good to see that of course, but afterwards. Really it’s all about taste and we weren’t disappointed!”

Floortje Hoette from Produced in Kent who run the awards adds “Judging the food and drink product categories has never been harder. The standards were higher than ever before, and it was fantastic to watch so many food and drink professionals get excited about produce from our great county.”

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. For the first time, the awards ceremony is being paired with a brand new Taste of Kent Food and Drink Festival. The festival will be 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. You can book tickets to the festival here.

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 shortlist for all remaining categories will be released on Monday 15th May 2023.

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 https://tasteofkentawards.co.uk

The full list of Taste of Kent Awards 2023 food and drink product finalists.

Non-alcoholic cold drink

Non-alcoholic hot drink

Wine

Cider

Beer

Spirit

Sweet Bakery

Sweet Pantry.

Confectionary

Savoury Bakery

Cheese

Savoury Pantry

Ready to Cook

  • Apple & Biscoff Crumble. Crmbl, Tonbridge. Kent Bramley
  • Chicken & Mushroom Pie. Yes Chef Boxes, Aylesford.
  • Onion Bhaji Burger. The Indian Dish, West Malling.

Fresh Fish or Seafood

Dairy.

Prepared or Cured Meat

Fresh Meat or Poultry

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