With an impressive range of entries already completed, The Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) entry deadline for this year’s awards has been extended. The new deadline is set at midnight, Sunday the 26th of March.
In addition to the chance of making it to the finals of the awards, this year every business who submits a nomination will be automatically entered into a free prize draw. The lucky winner will be offered a 1-night stay for two people at Bloom Stays, holiday homes in Canterbury on 15th June 2023 - the evening of the TOKA awards ceremony. The winner will be announced after the award entries close at the end of March.
Launched on Tuesday 31st January 2023, the prestigious Taste of Kent Awards (TOKA) is now in its 18th year and celebrates the tastiest food and drink of Kent. For the first time, businesses enter by self-nominating via the TOKA website as there is no public vote. The awards shine a spotlight on the regions excellence in producing fine quality British produce.
Nigel Barden, TOKA head judge and national food and drink broadcaster explains, “It’s great to be able to champion a county I know really well. There are fantastic food and drink producers, and a great culinary heritage in the county. I’m lucky enough to be head judge this year, it’s a real privilege. I know the awards have been going on nearly 20 years and its marvellous be able to champion artisan food and drink producers, alongside some of the great retailers. It’s tough out there for hospitality right now, it’s more important than ever to pull together.”
Floortje Hoette from Produced in Kent who run the awards adds “The 2023 awards are our most exciting yet, we’re seeing members enter that have never entered before. We’re particularly thrilled to see so many businesses put forward submissions demonstrating their work in sustainability and the community throughout Kent. There are more than 20 categories to enter so we would urge all local business to enter and showcase their fantastic business and produce. We would like to thank Bloom Stays for their generous prize for a night in one of their wonderful holiday accommodations in Canterbury”
The awards ceremony, taking place at the University of Kent on the 15th of June, is paired with a Taste of Kent Festival on the same day, open to the general public, with over 70 finalists promoting, sampling and selling their delicious food and drink products.
Open to any food and drink business located in Kent and Medway, the awards are the longest-running, and most prestigious food and drink awards in the South East.
2023 sponsors include: Southeastern, The University of Kent, Brachers, Crowe UK, EKC Group, NFU Mutual Ashford Tenterden & Whitfield, Oxbury, Shepherd Neame, Canterbury BID, Primed, the University of Greenwich, and Southern Co-op
Key Dates Taste of Kent Awards 2023
• Entries open 1st February 2023
• Entries close Midnight 26th March 2023
• Judging April – May 2023
• Finalists announced May 2023
• Taste of Kent Festival and Awards Ceremony 15th June 2023
Terms and conditions apply, no alternative prize or date will be offered for the Bloom Stays prize.
