2014 Food & Drink Awards winners

PUBLISHED: 07:56 16 November 2014 | UPDATED: 07:56 16 November 2014

Sarah Sturt

Amanda Cottrell named Food & Drink Hero 2014

Manu Palomeque 07977074797

The winners in the second Kent Life and Kent on Sunday 2014 Food & Drink Awards were celebrated at a glittering black tie evening held at the Tudor Park Marriott Hotel, Bearsted on 13 November. Nearly 200 guests, finalists and representatives from the sister publications enjoyed a Champagne reception before being welcomed by editors Sarah Sturt (Kent Life) and Chris Britcher (Kent on Sunday). Together, their combined readers voted for their local favourites in 12 categories ranging from Newcomer of the Year to Best Pub and the prestigious Food & Drink Hero of the Year. A fabulous four-course meal of Kentish produce was prepared by executive head chef Tom Biddle and his team, while Tunbridge Wells-based TV star and mum-to-be Kaddy Lee-Preston hosted the evening, with entertainment provided by singer Josh James. Nearly £600 was raised on the evening via a table raffle, which will be divided between Kent Life Charity of the Year chYps children’s hospice at home and Pilgrims’ Hospice, supported by Kent on Sunday.

THE WINNERS

Restaurant of the Year

Chapter One, Locksbottom

Sponsor: Rox & Kay Solicitors

Pub of the Year

Three Tuns, Lower Halstow

Sponsor: Eastwell manor

Chef of the Year

Andrew McLeish, Chapter One, Locksbottom

Sponsor: Britelite

Customer Service of the Year

Holwood Farm Shop, Keston

Sponsor: Fenwick Canterbury

Tea Shop of the Year

Sandhurst Tearoom, Sandhurst

Sponsor: Gerald Lukehurst

Farm Shop of the Year

Harvel House Farmshop, Harvel, Meopham

Sponsor: Winterdale Cheesemakers

Butcher of the Year

Brogdale Butchers, Faversham

Sponsor: Bybrook Barn Garden Centre

Farmers’ Market of the Year

Shipbourne Farmers’ Market, Shipbourne

Sponsor: My Ferry Link

Drink Producer of the Year

Hush Heath Winery, Staplehurst

Sponsor: Anchor & Hope

Newcomer of the Year

The Milk House, Sissinghurst

Sponsor: The Canterbury Auction Galleries

Food Producer of the Year

John Myatt, Mockbeggar Farm, Cliffe Woods, Rochester

Sponsor: Perrys Chartered Accountants

Food & Drink Hero of the Year

Amanda Cottrell, OBE

Sponsor: Faversham Business Partnership