The finalists for the Taste of Kent Awards 2014 were announced in January, and nearly 500 of Kent’s food and drink businesses have been nominated. You voted in droves for your favourites across the county from East to West and North to South.

East Kent did particularly well this year with Little Stour Orchard in Margate in the juice and cider categories; Ramsgate Brewery in the beer category for Gadds No. 3; Samovar from Dover being nominated in the artisan producer category; Chandler & Dunn from Ash near Canterbury being a new entrant in the butcher category; and two fishmongers from Folkestone and Broadstairs being new entrants, Folkestone Trawlers and Fruits de Mer. Cliftonville Farmers’ Market once again reached the finals as did Quex Barn in Birchington and Simply Ice Cream near Ashford.

Where East Kent has done particularly well this year is for its restaurants, all three of which are from the region. The Ambrette (last year’s winner) from Margate, Rocksalt from Folkestone and Wyatt & Jones from Broadstairs – a clean sweep.

Apart from the East of Kent, notable new nominees this year include Whitstable Produce Store, Goody Ales from Herne, Court Farm at Halling near Rochester, and two new entrants in the dining pub category: the Three Tuns at Lower Halstow and the Ferry Inn at Harty, Isle of Sheppey.

All in all a great start to the new year for all the finalists, with the winners being announced on the 13th March at the awards dinner, with the evening menu created by The Minnis at Birchington. Tickets for the event are available from Produced in Kent and details are available on www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk/about. Look out for the announcement of the winners to find out if your favourites have won!