Food & Drink Awards winners 2015

PUBLISHED: 09:43 21 November 2015 | UPDATED: 09:43 21 November 2015

Sarah Sturt

Bob Taylor, Food & Drink Hero, with Chris Britcher and Sarah Sturt

Manu Palomeque 07977074797

The winners in the third Kent Life and Kent on Sunday 2015 Food & Drink Awards were celebrated at a glittering black tie evening held at the Ashford International Hotel on 15 October. Nearly 200 guests, finalists and representatives from the sister publications enjoyed a Champagne reception before being welcomed by publisher Simon Irwin and editors Sarah Sturt of Kent Life and Chris Britcher of Kent on Sunday. Together, their combined readers nominated their local favourites in 12 categories ranging from Newcomer of the Year to Best Restaurant and Food & Drink Hero of the Year. A fabulous three-course meal of Kentish produce complimented by wines from Biddenden Vineyards was prepared by head chef Stuart Weeks and his team, while BBC Radio Kent presenter and Kent Life columnist Andy Garland hosted the evening.

The winners

Restaurant of the year

Chapter One, Locksbottom

Sponsor: Britelite

Pub of the year

The Compasses Inn, Crundale

Sponsor: Eastwell Manor

Chef of the year

Dev Biswal, Ambrette

Sponsor: The Canterbury Auction Galleries

Customer service of the year

Longfield Butchers

Sponsor: Fenwick Canterbury

Tea shop of the year

Tiny Tim’s, Canterbury

Sponsor: Cookery Studio Kent

Farm shop of the year

MB Farm shop, Stockbury

Independent food and drink retailer of the year

The Cheese Box, Whitstable

Sponsor: Illuminate Skin Clinics

Farmers’ Market of the year

Penshurst Farmers’ Market

Drink producer of the year

Chapel Down

Sponsor: Maserati Motorline

Newcomer of the year

The Yard, Faversham

Sponsor: Clive Emson Auctioneers

Food producer of the year

Curiously Kentish

Sponsor: Perrys Chartered Accountants

Food & drink hero of the year

Bob Taylor, Kent Farmers’ Market Association

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