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Full list of finalists revealed for the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards 2024

05:00, 21 January 2024

updated: 06:56, 22 January 2024

All week, we have been announcing the fantastic finalists that you have chosen for the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards, sponsored by Café Nucleus.

From creative chefs to fine-dining restaurants, friendly village pubs to hard-working volunteers, vibrant farm shops to high-end hotels - your nominations have meant that Kent’s hospitality heroes are getting some much-deserved recognition.

We can now reveal the full list of finalists for the first Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards
We can now reveal the full list of finalists for the first Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards

We have shared a run-down of each category’s finalists over the past few days but, in case you missed it, the full list of finalists is below.

We can now also reveal that the lucky winner of the prize draw to win £100 to spend at their favourite pub or restaurant, randomly selected from our pool of nominations, is Kelly Simpson from Rochester.

BEVERAGE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Clive Emson, judged by Lewis Mackay-Bell

Say It With Gin, Ashford

Moot Brewery, Halling

Canterbury Cider

CHEF OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by kff, judged by Mark Prior

Andy Holden at The Cave Hotel and Golf Resort, Faversham

Patrick Hill at Thackeray’s, Tunbridge Wells

Ben Beatty at Ben’s Kitchen, Tonbridge

The aim of the awards is to shine a spotlight on those who work hard to deliver brilliant food, drink and hospitality. Picture: iStock
The aim of the awards is to shine a spotlight on those who work hard to deliver brilliant food, drink and hospitality. Picture: iStock

FARM SHOP/DELI OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Rochester Bridge Trust, judged by Jane Beedle

Brambledown Farm Shop, Sheppey

Macknade, Faversham

Perry Court Farm, Ashford

FOOD AND DRINK HERO

Sponsored by KSS Air Ambulance, judged by kmfm’s Garry and Chelsea

Josie and Sarah at A Better Plaice, Maidstone

Peter at the Bearded Foodie, Dartford

Soraya at Mumma Soraya, Medway

FOOD BANK OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by East Kent Colleges Group, judged by Aaron Sergejenkovs-Telford

Community Cupboard, West Kingsdown

Gillingham Street Angels

Maya's Community Support Centre, Herne Bay

FOOD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Shepherd Neame, judged by Jamie Weir

Korker Sausages, Cranbrook

Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst

Simply Ice Cream, Deal

Hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and farm shops have all been included in this year’s awards. Picture: iStock
Hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and farm shops have all been included in this year’s awards. Picture: iStock

HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Jumeira Restaurant Group, judged by Tarak and Jamil Ahmed

The Cave, Faversham

Port Lympne Hotel, Hythe

The Sun Inn, Faversham

KENT HOSPITALITY CHAMPION

Sponsored by Love Ashford and Ashford Borough Council, judged by Robert Richardson

Martin at George and Dragon, Tonbridge

Scott at Larry's Bar, Chatham

Wendy at the Queen's Head, Kingsnorth

Since launching the awards at the end of last year we have been inundated with nominations from our readers. Picture: iStock
Since launching the awards at the end of last year we have been inundated with nominations from our readers. Picture: iStock

PUB/BAR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Lumina, judged by Paul Pierce

The Plough Inn, Langley

The Queens Head, Sutton Valence

Three Sisters, Rainham

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by NFU Mutual Ashford Tenterden and Whitfield, judged by Richard Phillips

Ela Kendro, Gillingham

Kebbells, Broadstairs

Rosemont, Folkestone

The awards celebrate Kent’s thriving food and drink industry. Picture: iStock
The awards celebrate Kent’s thriving food and drink industry. Picture: iStock

STREET FOOD/POP-UP OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Halpern Charitable Foundation, judged by Richard Phillips

Barritos, Iwade

Bun Buddies, Ashford

Mumma Soraya, Medway

TEAROOM/COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Gullands Solicitors, judged by Paul Mannering

Bethany's Cafe, Westgate

Coffee Corner, Ashford

Heart of Higham, Gravesend

Thank you for all of your nominations and thank you to our sponsors for supporting the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards.

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