Produced in Kent Logo

I’m a Business

Become a Produced in Kent member, and let us support and promote your business in Kent.

Membership starts from

£30 a month

I’m an Individual

Become a Champion and access amazing discounts in return for supporting local businesses and producers.

Membership

£25 a year

Hop Judging

23rd November 2018

Kent’s Hop Grower of the Year announced

The first ever Taste of Kent Awards 2019, Hop Grower of the Year is Hukins Hops of Tenterden, chosen from all of the Kent hop growers who entered The Weald of Kent Ploughing Match Kent Hop Competition. The competition was held on 21 November 2018 at the brand new Marden Sports Club and the award is sponsored by BTF Partnership and Lupofresh. The Garden of England is famous for its hop growing heritage and there is now a resurgence in hop growing to support Kent, British and International breweries alike. The rise and rise of ‘craft’ beer and micro-breweries is once again fuelling demand for Kent’s classic hops. This is the first time hop growing has been recognised as part of the Taste of Kent Awards. Alan Unwin of Wealden Hops and one of the three judges comments: “We judge the hop samples in a blind judging and we are essentially judging how the hops look, the density of the aroma and if the whole flower cone is there. This combination is what you want to put into your beer when you are brewing.” “This year has been one of the better years for growers as there has been less disease which the older varieties are more prone to. Yield has been slightly down, but the quality is high. 2017 was a bumper year for growers here in Kent as it rained at the right time of year, whereas 2018 has been a bit too hot and dry in comparison. Growers here in Kent are increasingly growing the newer varieties, as they are more disease resistant, but there is a big push towards getting the right aroma.” The Taste of Kent Awards are organised by Produced in Kent and showcase the very best products and food and drink businesses in Kent. Stephanie Durling, Manager of Produced in Kent comments: “Kent is synonymous with hop growing and we are delighted to have worked with the Kent Hop Show organisers to create this brand new category. There is a huge interest in brewing here in Kent and we hope to taste some of these fine hops in Kentish beers over the coming year.” Ross Hukins of Hukins Hops comments: “We are delighted to be the first winners of this new Taste of Kent award and we would like to thank all the team at Hukins Hops for their efforts. We hope this new award will help to raise the profile of Kent Hops amongst the ever growing number of Kent based brewers. A big thank you to the sponsors for making this possible.” You can find out more about hop growing, beers and micro breweries in Produced in Kent’s free guide https://kentfoodtrails.co.uk/guide/hops-beer Public voting is half way through and you can still go online at www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk to nominate and vote for the local heroes who you would like to see recognised. You have until 2 Jan 2019 to cast your vote and in doing so you will be helping local businesses to receive the support and recognition they deserve. The most popular three in each category make it through to the final round of tasting, mystery shopping, mystery dining and expert judging panels. The shortlist will be announced in January and the winners will be announced at the Taste of Kent Awards Gala dinner, which takes place 7 March 2019 at the Kent Event Centre. This year’s categories open for public voting, are as follows: Kent Butcher’s Shop of the Year A retailer selling a good range of Kent produced meat. They will be required to provide evidence of traceability to substantiate this for judging. Kent Beer of the year, sponsored by Eurostar International Beer produced predominantly from hops grown in Kent at a brewery based in Kent. Kent Wine of the Year, sponsored by NFU Mutual Wine produced from grapes predominantly grown in Kent, Sussex, Essex or Surrey at a winery based in Kent. Kent Cider or Perry of the Year, sponsored by Wilkins Kennedy LLP Cider or Perry made from apples or pears predominantly grown in Kent at a business based in Kent. Kent Tastiest Juice of the Year, sponsored by AC Goatham & Son A juice produced from fruit predominantly grown in Kent by a business based in Kent. Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Bennett Opie The retailer must sell a wide range of Kent produce/products. They will be required to provide details of the suppliers and product range for judging. Kent Food Producer of the Year, sponsored by Insight6 A business that makes a food product using ingredients sourced from Kent where possible. Kent Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Thomson, Snell & Passmore A formal dining experience. The restaurant will be actively using Kent produce where and when seasonally available and demonstrate this commitment in menus and marketing. Kent Dining Pub or Bistro of the Year, sponsored by University of Kent An informal dining experience in a licensed premises. The pub or bistro-style eatery will be actively serving Kent food and drink when seasonally available and demonstrate this commitment in menus and marketing. Kent Coffee Shop or Tearoom, sponsored by Barrett’s of Canterbury The coffee shop or tea room will be actively using locally sourced produce where and when seasonally available and demonstrate this commitment in its menus and marketing. Other awards, not open for public voting, are: Kent Food Product Classes, sponsored by Shepherd Neame Producers can enter their own products into a range of classes. The product must be available in retailers and/or caterers made from Kent primary produce that has undergone a value-added process over and above just being re-packaged. Best Kent Food Product of the Year, sponsored by HSBC A product selected by the judging panel as the overall winner from all the entries in the Kent Food Product Classes. Kent Countryside Award, sponsored by Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs This stand-alone award gives food and drink producers, farmers and rural businesses using local produce, the opportunity to enter their businesses directly into the competition visit www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk/awards/kent-food-farming-landscape-award/ for more information. Garden of England Champions – Cherry & Soft Fruit, sponsored by The Kent County Agricultural Society Four categories: Cherry, Strawberries, Raspberries and new category Blackberries. Judged on taste by both professionals from the industry and members of the public at the Kent County Show, July 2018, the winners are: Cherries – Class 60 winner Brian Piper, Filmers Farm, Loose, Nr Maidstone with the variety Carmen. Strawberries – Class 70 winner John Myatt & Co, Mockbeggar Farm, Rochester with the strawberry variety Magnum. Raspberries – Class 80 winner Total World Fruit with the Raspberry variety Ovation. Blackberries – Class 90 John Myatt & Co, Mockbeggar Farm, Rochester with the Blackberry variety Incentive. Garden of England Champions – Top Fruit, sponsored by BTF Partnership The winners of Produced in Kent’s Taste of Kent Awards 2019 Garden of England Champion Top Fruit Category, sponsored by BTF Partnership, were announced in October 2018 at the National Fruit Show at Kent County Showground. Garden of England Champions Top Apple: Jazz - Grown by Chris Levett, Baretilt Farm, Cranbrook. Garden of England Champions Top Pear: Concorde Pear - Grown by J L Baxter, Coxsheath