The winners of the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards 2024 have been announced, including Pub of the Year and Restaurant of the Year.

The awards, presented by KM Media Group, were handed out to 12 winners at a ceremony at the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury.

We were inundated with votes from our readers for their favourite food and drink hotspots across the county, from flavoursome street food to high-end hotels.

The nominations were narrowed down to a shortlist, with our hand-picked panel of judges then choosing their winners from the final three in each category.

The awards aim to shine a spotlight on Kent’s hospitality industry and give the public a chance to recognise local rising stars, industry trendsetters and unsung food heroes.

The full list of winners, as well as the runners up in each category, are listed below...

Beverage Producer of the Year

Sponsored by Clive Emson

Winner: Say It With Gin, Ashford

Debbie and Sharon, best friends and owners of Say It With Gin, have combined their love of gin with the art of gift-giving. Their Classic London Dry Gin can be wrapped in bespoke labels and poured into personalised bottles to create a special gift for any occasion including birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas.

Runners up: Canterbury Cider and Moot Brewery, Halling

Chef of the Year

Sponsored by kff

Winner: Ben Beatty of Ben's Kitchen, Tonbridge

Ben, along with his family, run Ben’s Kitchen, a food producer specialising in sauces, marinades, spices and oils. The small-batched products include pizza oil infused with garlic and basil, a meat rub made with ginger and lime and an Asian glaze flavoured with soy sauce and chilli.

Runners up: Andy Holden of The Cave, Faversham and Patrick Hill of Thackeray's Tunbridge Wells

Deli / Farm Shop of the Year

Sponsored by Rochester Bridge Trust

Winner: Perry Court Farm, Ashford

Owned by the Fermor family since the 1950s, this farm first became known for its vast strawberry fields. Now, the farm grows and sells apples, pears, cherries, potatoes and asparagus and employs 25 members of staff, including three of Martin and Heidi Fermor’s four children.

Runners up: Brambledown Farm Shop, Sheppey and Macknade, Faversham

Food & Drink Hero

Sponsored by KSS Air Ambulance Charity

Winner: Soraya of Mumma Soraya, Medway

This mobile soul food truck can be found on Fridays and Saturdays in its regular spot outside The George pub on City Way in Rochester. Run by Soraya and her partner Bobby, the food is based on recipes passed down by Soraya’s father and aunties including curry mutton and jerk chicken. It’s all made fresh every day and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Runners up: Josie and Sarah of A Better Plaice, Maidstone and Peter of The Bearded Foodie, Dartford

Food Bank of the Year

Sponsored by EKC Group

Winner: Maya's Community Support Centre, Herne Bay

Since 2022, Maya’s Community Support Centre has run a food bank to support families, single parents and elderly residents who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. The food is stocked by local businesses and supermarkets and purchased using donations and grants. The centre also offers free hairdressing and a Ukrainian refugee support hub.

Runners up: Community Cupboard, West Kingsdown and Gillingham Street Angels

Food Producer of the Year

Sponsored by Shepherd Neame

Winner: Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst

This family-run farm is a popular spot for pick-your-own produce. Visitors can select their own fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the season, including pumpkins in the autumn. There’s also a specialist farm shop with produce from the site, homemade jams and fresh juices.

Runners up: Korker Sausages, Cranbrook and Simply Ice Cream, Ashford

Hotel of the Year

Sponsored by Jumeria Restaurant Group

Winner: The Cave, Faversham

This stylish hotel has welcomed a number of celebrity guests, including Jesy Nelson, Katie Price, Jordan Banjo and Carrie Hope Fletcher. The luxury rooms, sauna, spa, hydrotherapy pool, golf course and two restaurants - the Korean Cowgirl and The Firepit - are tucked away in the quiet village of Boughton-under-Blean, between Faversham and Canterbury.

Runners up: Port Lympne Hotel, Hythe and The Sun Inn, Faversham

Kent Hospitality Champion

Sponsored by Love Ashford and Ashford Borough Council

Winner: Scott of Larry's Mobile Bar, Chatham

This bar caters festivals, birthday parties and weddings, bringing bespoke cocktails to events across the county. You can also order a bottle of the bar’s signature cocktails, such as the ginberry twist or rum punch, to enjoy at home. Owner Scott Tulloch has even sold his drinks at Charlton Athletic FC’s home ground bar after being a lifelong fan of the club.

Runners up: Wendy of The Queen's Head, Kingsnorth and Martin of George & Dragon, Tonbridge

Pub / Bar of the Year

Sponsored by Lumina

Winner: Queen's Head, Sutton Valence

This historic pub wowed Secret Drinker during a visit last year, and it seems he’s not the only one. It ticks all the boxes of a welcoming village boozer, including live music, quiz nights, a large garden, local beers from the likes of Goachers and the Musket Brewery and a menu of tasty pub grub.

Runners up: The Plough, Langley and Three Sisters, Rainham

Restaurant of the Year

Sponsored by NFU Mutual

Winner: Kebbells, Broadstairs

Overlooking the stunning Viking Bay, this clifftop restaurant specialises in seafood. The seasonal menu changes often but is always inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and has included dishes such as oysters, tuna tartare and steamed mussels. There’s also a brunch menu, cocktails and outdoor dining in the summer.

Runners up: Ela Kendro, Gillingham and Rosemont, Folkestone

Street Food / Pop-up of the Year

Sponsored by Café Nucleus

Winner: Bun Buddies, Ashford

This mobile burger truck is levelling up your average quarter pounder to create a gourmet on-the-go experience. Now in its third year and cooking up a storm at events across Kent, owners and friends Harry, Jack and Abi have become known for dishes such as chilli cheese burgers, crispy fried chicken burgers and dirty fries topped with bacon and cheese.

Runners up: Mumma Soraya, Medway and Barritos, Iwade

Tearoom / Coffee Shop of the Year

Sponsored by Gullands Solicitors

Winner: Heart of Higham, Gravesend

Opened by husband-and-wife team Ben and Helen Donovan in 2022, this village cafe underwent a huge transformation before welcoming its first visitors. Since then, they have been serving up all-day breakfasts, lunch specials, sandwiches and cakes to local residents - all while juggling three children back at their home in Shorne.

Runners up: Bethany's Cafe, Westgate and Coffee Corner, Ashford

Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who sent in their nominations.

We would also like to thank our sponsors for supporting the first Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards.