Taste of Kent Awards 2022 Celebrates Official Launch and Unveils Exciting Brand Makeover

Now in its 17^th year, the TOKA awards is an event dedicated to showcasing the best that Kent has to offer, and the winners will be crowned in a splendid ceremony in May following the 2021 virtual TOKA event. Voting will run from 10^th Jan to 28^th Feb 2022.

The Taste of Kent Awards would not be possible without the generous support from head sponsor Southeastern Rail, as well as a host of category sponsors, which can be found on the revamped website.

Nikki Causer, Head of Marketing at Southeastern said: We’re extremely proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Taste of Kent Awards to celebrate the range of incredible products the region has to offer. Our passengers travel to Kent to explore the beautiful Garden of England and we’re proud to help them discover the fantastic variety of independent, local businesses across the county.”

Vote in the Taste of Kent Awards 2022 from 10th January 2022

Floortje Hoette CE of Produced in Kent comments “We want the people of Kent to get involved with the Taste of Kent Awards in a bigger way this year. In 2021, votes increased by 400% compared to the previous year, and it would be wonderful if we could beat that again with the 2022 TOKA awards.

To celebrate the return of TOKA we wanted a new look and a brand refresh. It was wonderful to work with Sand creative and unveil the new design and website at the launch last night.”

Sean Harvey founder of Sand Creative has seen a few clients win a distinguished Taste of Kent award over the years, including Disco cider by Duddas Tun last year, and comments, “It was an honour to have the opportunity to redesign the iconic Taste of Kent awards logo and reinvigorate the brand’s identity.

The original concept of the “horse-shaped apple bite”, was lost on many people, so we decided to ground the white horse of Kent proudly at the base of the apple. The design approach was to create a simpler and more contemporary feel with a screen-printed textural look that would work well as a logo on the winner’s products, on all promotional material, and online.”

BUYFIVE this Christmas with #PINKatBluewater

Visit your favourite Bluewater stores and support local by buying from the new Produced in Kent shop which opened last month and is situated on the lower mall at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe. Shelves will be well-stocked with a fabulous selection of Kentish products made by excellent local food, drink and lifestyle businesses from across this beautiful county.

Whether you want to treat the cider lover in your life to the new Kentish Pip Craft Cider Gift Tube this Christmas which includes a selection of Kentish Pip’s core range of award-winning ciders, fill your drinks trolley with delightfully distilled gin from Maidstone Distillery or luscious wine from Meopham Wine, stuff Christmas stockings with fabulously festive flavours from Fudge Kitchen, delicious treats from Kent Crisps and The Coffee Bean Shop, or cover the table with complimenting condiments and the finest oils from A Little Bit and Kentish Oils why not take part in the #BUYFIVE campaign and strive to buy five locally produced gifts this Christmas. These brands were also excitedly joined by Shepherd Neame, Sea Glass by Archie, Old Dairy Brewery and Romney Marsh Wools yesterday.
You can also find Produced in Kent member Anno Distiller on the Upper Thames Walk.

Floortje adds, “Make sure you take part in our Buy Five Christmas campaign and strive to buy five locally produced gifts for friends and family this year. It's more important now so than ever to help support local and invest in your community and local businesses.”

Voting will run for the Taste of Kent Awards 2022 from 10^th Jan to 28^th Feb 2022.