Celebrating Excellence in Kent’s Culinary Scene: The Inaugural Kent and Medway Food and Drink Awards

The Kent and Medway Food and Drink Awards provide an excellent opportunity to recognize the exceptional contributors to the food and drink industry in the region. Launched by the KM Media Group, these awards aim to acknowledge the outstanding achievements and commitment of individuals and businesses in Kent and Medway’s thriving culinary landscape. From unsung heroes to trendsetters and rising stars, these awards strive to celebrate excellence.

Open to nominations from the public, a panel of independent industry experts will judge the awards to ensure a fair and impartial selection process. The objective is to honour those who go above and beyond in providing exceptional culinary experiences.

The finalists of the awards will be announced in the Kent Messenger on Wednesday, January 17, with the winners being revealed at the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury on Tuesday, February 27.

Nominations are welcomed across 12 categories, including Beverage Producer of the Year, Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and more. Whether it’s a beloved local pub, a community champion, or an outstanding food producer, the public is encouraged to participate in recognizing the best of the region’s culinary scene.

Businesses operating in Kent or Medway are eligible for nominations, with the option for self-nomination. There are no restrictions on the number of nominations that can be made.

Renowned chef Richard Phillips will serve as the head judge for these inaugural awards. With an impressive culinary background, including experience at prestigious establishments such as Le Gavroche and The Oak Room, Richard brings a wealth of expertise to the panel.

The awards are proudly sponsored by Café Nucleus, a group of four distinctive café-restaurants located in Chatham, Rochester, and Rainham. Further support for the event comes from Shepherd Neame, ORIDA Hotel Maidstone, NFU Mutual Ashford Tenterden and Whitfield, East Kent Colleges Group, and kff.

To submit nominations for the Kent and Medway Food and Drink Awards, kindly visit the official page. This is a valuable opportunity to shed light on the remarkable contributions and dedication of individuals in the region’s vibrant food and drink industry.