The winners of this year's Taste of Kent Awards have been announced.

Hundreds gathered at the Kent Event Centre in Detling last night for the unveiling of the 2020 champions.

Organised by Produced in Kent, the awards are now in their 16th year and showcase the best food and drink products and businesses across the county.

Floortje Hoette, the new chief executive at Produced in Kent said: “These awards celebrate the very best in their sector each year and tonight we celebrated all those businesses from Kent chosen by the public and judged by a team of experts, to find the winner for each category.

"All the finalists are winners."

The winners are:

Hop Grower of the Year: GM Day and Sons from East Peckham

Tastiest Apple: Jazz variety, grown by Simon Bray, Monks Farm, Sittingbourne

Tastiest Pear: Concorde variety, grown by Clive and Richard Edmed, Hayle Farm, Horsmonden

Beer of the Year: Pale Ale Mary by Northdown Brewery, Margate

Tastiest Cherry: Van variety, grown by AC Hulme & Sons, Hoaden, near Canterbury

Tastiest Strawberry: Katrina variety, grown by B R Brooks & Son, Goodnestone, Faversham

Tastiest Raspberry: Tulameen variety, grown by J Myatt & Co, Rochester

Tastiest Blackberry: Victoria variety, grown by Clock house Farm Ltd, Coxheath

Cider or Perry of the Year: Curious Apple by Curious Brewing, Ashford

Ambient class winner: Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil by Morghew Park Estate, Tenterden

Bakery and Confectionery class winner: Kentish Apple Sourdough by The Bakehouse at 124, Tonbridge

Dairy class winner: Kingcott Blue Cheese by Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst

Prepared Food class winner: Celeriac and Apple Soup by The Speedy Snail, East Peckham

Specialist Alcoholic Drink class winner: Rosé Spritz by Maroude, Mereworth

Specialist Non-Alcoholic Drink class winner: Pineapple & Kiwi Edible Tea by Nims Fruit Products, Sittingbourne

Farm Diversification of the Year: Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst

Wine of the Year: Sparkling Rosé by Woodchurch Vineyard, Ashford

Local Food Retailer of the Year: Flint and Oak, Westerham

Restaurant of the Year: The Small Holding, Kilndown

Butcher Shop of the Year: Hammond's Butchers, Matfield

Food Business of the Year: Karimix, Selling

Tastiest Juice of the Year: Red Love Apple Juice, Biddenden Vineyards

Dining Pub or Bistro of the Year: The Butcher’s Block, Burham

Coffee Shop or Tea Room of the Year: Café Nucleus, Rochester

Countryside Award: Watts Farm, Farningham

Excellence Award for Customer Service: The Food Shed at Spadework, Offham

Food Product of the Year: Kingcott Blue, Kingcott Dairy, Staplehurst

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent.