Taste of Kent Awards presented

The Taste of Kent Awards were presented last week with gongs going to 12 outstanding pubs, breweries and food ad drink producers.

Kent Dining Pub of the Year went to the Plough at Stalisfield Green in Faversham for the second time. The pub impressed judges with its local ethos as it sources seasonal ingredients from the local farming community.

"It is the second time we've won, but it is no less of a joy," said Robert Lloyd, who owns the pub with wife Amy. "Hopefully we won because we're a really good pub. We are a dining pub, but have managed to keep hold of that pub element. The gastropub element can turn pubs into restaurants.

"I think ur local sourcing helps — we are in the country so everything is on our doorstep."

Other winners included Whitstable brewery, which went away with the Best Kent Brewery award, Chapel Down Winery won Best Kent Vineyard and Biddenden Vineyard was named best Kent Cider Maker.

The awards were hosted by BBC Radio Kent's breakfast show presenters John Warnett and Gemma Sterba.