Taste of Kent Awards tickles the taste buds of the county with record breaking levels of votes from the general public
The Taste of Kent Awards’ search for the county’s most outstanding food and drink businesses and products during 2009, hit the right flavour with the people of Kent when voting leapt to over 10,000 votes, smashing all previous records. Local interest in the awards was particularly high, with Big Tree Cider, of Harley, Dartford making the shortlist in the ‘Best Kentish Cider or Perry’ category.
The awards, which are the brainchild of food and drink champions Produced in Kent, saw an incredible 89 per cent increase on last year’s voting (which had already seen a 42 per cent increase in votes on the previous year). Consumers rushed to vote online at www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk to nominate the best food and drink companies and products in Kent, together with the most outstanding retailers, restaurants, pubs and farmers’ markets.
The public nominated over 680 food and drink businesses and products in the county, which was an impressive 50 per cent increase on last year. Seven of the twelve categories saw an increase of over 100 per cent in the number of votes.
The Taste of Kent Awards, the Main Sponsor for which is Whitehead Monckton solicitors, is celebrating its sixth successful year as the county’s mark of excellence in local food and drink. Several companies and retailers reached the category short-lists for the third consecutive year including: Biddenden Vineyards, Chapel Down, Eddie Gilberts, Godmersham Game, The Fudgery and Hartley Dyke. Meanwhile, JC Rook and Sons, Moor Organic Juice and Whitstable Crab Company all reached the top three-shortlisted nominations for the first time.
Other outstanding highlights of the voting saw Biddenden Vineyards achieve four overall nominations across three different award categories, whilst both The Fudgery and Simply Ice Cream picked up two separate nominations each.
Produced in Kent, the inspiration behind the Taste of Kent Awards, was thrilled with the response, as manager Julie Monkman, confirmed: “This is a truly outstanding result for the popularity of an award that is seen as the ultimate mark of food and drink excellence in the ‘Garden of England’. Despite the challenging economic times we are all facing, Kent has voted with its taste buds! With such a dramatic rise in votes, Kent’s consumers have demonstrated that outstanding local food and drink quality is what really counts when they are shopping or dining out.”
Now the top three short-listed companies face an agonising wait whilst expert panels of judges, mystery shoppers and mystery diners select the ultimate winners in each category. The 12 winners will be revealed at a prestigious dinner and awards ceremony at the Fairfax Hall, at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone at the end of February.
The Taste of Kent Awards have been made possible, by the generosity of the overall sponsor Whitehead Monckton, and through the support of the individual category sponsors who include Barclays Bank Plc, Bennett Opie, Biddenden Vineyards, Cask Marque, Hadlow College, Kent County Council, kff (Kent Frozen Foods), Kent Life, SEEDA, Visit Kent and WK Finn Kelcey.
Visit www.producedinkent.co.uk or www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk in March to find out the Taste of Kent Award 2009 winners.
