Business finalists announced for The Taste of Kent Awards 2024

Following the announcement of the 2024 Taste of Kent Awards food and drink product finalists, Produced in Kent are pleased to reveal new finalists across the business categories.  

The finalists for the business categories include Kent-based independent retailers, food and drink markets, fine and casual dining restaurants, cafes, farmers and start-ups.  

Susie Warran-Smith, from award organisers Produced in Kent, explains: “As well as celebrating the amazing products of Kent, the Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) has always celebrated businesses growing, selling and serving great food in Kent as well as those championing sustainability and the community.”  

The announcement coincides with the ticket release for the TOKA Food and Drink Festival, which is open to the public and trade. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample and buy the delicious food and drink products which have been shortlisted from up to 75 finalists. The festival takes place between 1pm and 5.30pm on Thursday 13th June at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre at The University of Kent. Tickets cost £6 in advance, £8 on the door and under 12’s are free. Tickets are available here. 

All finalists will be listed in the Taste of Kent Buyers Guide and invited to attend an evening awards ceremony taking place at the University of Kent in Canterbury on the 13th June following the TOKA Food and Drink Festival.  

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The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) is now in its 19^th year and celebrates the tastiest food and drink of Kent. The awards shine a spotlight on the region's excellence in producing fine quality British produce.   

The awards are made possible because of the generous support of TOKA’s sponsors. Southeastern, The University of Kent, Brachers, Crowe UK, Digitom, EKC Group, Financial Advice & Services Ltd, GrowUp Farms, Jestic Foodservice Solutions, kff, NFU Mutual Ashford Tenterden & Whitfield, Oxbury, Port of Dover, Shepherd Neame, Social Enterprise Kent, Southern Co-op and the University of Greenwich. 

For more information and the full list of finalists, visit tasteofkentawards.co.uk 

Taste of Kent Awards 2024 Business Finalists

Kent Independent Retailer of the Year, sponsored by GrowUp Farms

• The Egg Machine, Aldington 
• Groombridge Farm Shop, Tunbridge Wells 
• Loddington Farm Shop, Boughton Monchelsea 

Kent Food and Drink Market of the Year, sponsored by Digitom Video Production 

• Bearsted Market on the Green  
• Lenham Country Market 
• West Malling Farmers' Market   

Kent Fine Dining Experience of the Year, sponsored by Financial Advice & Services          

• The Beacon, Tunbridge Wells 
• The Smallholding, Kilndown 
• Thackeray's, Tunbridge Wells 

Kent Casual Dining Experience of the Year, sponsored by Port of Dover           

• Boys Hall, Willesborough 
• The Ferry House Inn, Isle of Sheppey 
• The Korean Cowgirl, Canterbury 

Kent Café, Coffee Shop or Tea Room of the Year               

• The Food Shed Café at Spadework, Offham 
• Kin Coffee, Staplehurst 
• Old Dairy Café, Goodnestone 

Kent Farm of the Year, sponsored by Oxbury        

• Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst 
• Whitstable Oyster Trading Company, Whitstable 
• The Wonky Parsnip, Faversham 

Kent Start-up Food and Drink Business of the Year, sponsored by kff    

• Nightingale Dairy, Alkham 

Kent Sustainable Business Award, sponsored by Shepherd Neame 

• Canterbury Brewers & Distillers at the Foundry, Canterbury 
• Clock House Farm, Coxheath 
• Winterdale Cheesemakers, Wrotham 

Kent Free-From Business of the Year, sponsored by University of Greenwich  

• A Little Bit Food, Bridge 
• Marc-Pierre's Kitchen, Ramsgate 

Kent Community Award, sponsored by Social Enterprise Kent   

• Lily's Social Kitchen, Canterbury, Ashford & Maidstone 
• Smarden Community Store, Smarden 
• Spadework, Offham