About the Taste of Kent Awards
The Taste of Kent Awards celebrate the very best of Kent's food and drink industry. Established in 2006 and organised by Produced in Kent - the county's leading membership organisation for independent food and drink businesses - 2026 marks a landmark 20th year of recognising excellence across the sector. Open to all food and drink businesses based in Kent, the awards champion quality, innovation, and sustainability across the full spectrum of the industry - from growers, producers and manufacturers to retailers, wholesalers and hospitality venues. The awards now run biennially, making each edition a genuine milestone moment for Kent's food and drink community.
The 2026 format
The Taste of Kent Awards is an event dedicated to showcasing the tastiest food and drink that Kent has to offer and the hard-working businesses behind it.
Open to any food and drink business located in Kent, 2026 marks our landmark 20th year - making TOKA the longest running and most prestigious food and drink awards in the South East.
These awards are an important tool for the industry, giving businesses a genuine opportunity to shout about their quality and service - and to use the Taste of Kent Award badge with pride.
The 2026 awards are structured across three key areas - Product & Taste Awards, Hospitality & Retail Awards, and Business Awards.
2026 Key Dates
Launch Event | 30th April 2026 A networking event bringing together Kent industry leaders, TOKA sponsors, previous winners and Produced in Kent members
Entries & Public Vote Open | 5th May 2026
Entries & Public Vote Close | 17th June 2026
Judging | July - August 2026 Rigorous taste judging by expert judges from across the sector; mystery dining and shopping by professional researchers; 1-2-1 interviews by panels of professional judges
Finalists Announced | September 2026
Awards Ceremony | 8th October 2026
GlassBox Theatre, Gillingham
Benefits for Entering
To win a Product & Taste Award takes a truly exceptional product - judged blind by experts who really know their stuff.
Winning a Hospitality & Retail Award sets you apart and gives you a powerful badge of quality within your local community.
Winning a Business Award gives you a genuine point of difference - and a prestigious endorsement you can use in your marketing.
All entries will be listed in the Taste of Kent Buyers Guide, published on the official TOKA website and distributed to local and national retail and hospitality buyers. Every entrant automatically receives a listing including their company name, website link, product image and business category.
Finalists and winners can use the Taste of Kent Award branding across their own marketing, packaging, social media and premises.
Finalists and Winners receive an enhanced Buyers Guide listing, including company name, website link, product image, category, a 50-word description, additional imagery and the TOKA logo showcasing their Bronze, Silver or Gold award.
Entering is an affordable way to promote your business, raise its profile and connect with buyers and customers across Kent and Medway.
Become a Sponsor of the Taste of Kent Awards 2026
Sponsoring the Taste of Kent Awards is a fantastic way to raise your company profile and connect with Kent's thriving food and drink community. With seven months of exposure across our marketing channels, a combined social reach of over 100,000 and press coverage reaching 147 million people in 2024, sponsorship puts your brand in front of the right people.
Category sponsorship starts from £2,500 + VAT. Headline sponsorship is £6,000 + VAT.
To find out more or discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jill: Jill.Sargent@ProducedinKent.co.uk or call 01732 853170
