The cream of Kent's food and drink crop have been celebrated at the annual Taste of Kent awards.

The county's top eateries, farmers' markets and fruit producers have all been honoured at Produced in Kent's awards, held on Thursday at the Kent Showground in Detling - chosen by local people.

A number of newcomers made it to the sought-after list of finalists, including: CA Worgans Butchers, Googies, Hinxden Farm Dairy, Hollin Root Farm, Hush Heath, John Myatt & Co, Kentish Pip, Paramour Pie Club, Peter’s Produce, Rochester Farmers’ Market, Romney Marsh Brewery, the Goods Shed, Alexandra Auger, the Zingiberi Bakery and Matthew Kearsey-Lawson.

While some of last year’s winners also celebrated again, including AMC Foods, Anno Distillers, Chapel Down, Chegworth Valley, Hudson’s Fish, L Stevens & Son, Newmafruit, and the George Inn.

Stephanie Durling of Produced in Kent, thanked all those who took the time to vote, and said: "This year’s awards attracted thousands of voters from across the county and beyond and it is fair to say that the results were extremely close.

“The people of Kent have chosen the flavours, products, produce and venues they have enjoyed the most over the last 12 months.

"The awards not only highlight the finest produce the county has to offer but, for the winners, the awards are the ultimate stamp of approval from their customers and confirmation of their food and drink excellence.”

The awards' main sponsor was Cripps LLP and a Kentish dinner on the menu at the ceremony was provided by Curiously Kentish. The winners in each category were:

Garden of England Champions

Pears – Concorde by David Stevens, Lower Halstow

Apples – Cameo by Newmafruit, Chartham

Garden of England Champions

Cherries – John Myatt & Co, nr Rochester

Strawberries – John Myatt & Co, nearr Rochester

Raspberries – John Myatt & Co, near Rochester

Kent Food Product

Winner, Ambient Class: Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil blended with lemon, AMC Foods Limited, Ramsgate

Winner Bakery & Confectionery Class: The Captain’s Crackers, Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt, The Zingiberi Bakery, Herne Bay

Winner Dairy Class: Channel Island Double Cream, Hinxden Farm Dairy, Benenden

Winner Prepared Food Class: Mr McGregor’s Pie, Paramour Pie Club, Deal

Winner Specialist Drinks Class: 60² gin, Anno Distillers Limited, Tonbridge

Kent Wine of the Year

Winner: Bacchus – Chapel Down Vineyard, Tenterden

Finalists: Herbert Hall Brut – Herbert Hall, Marden and Ortega, Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden

Kent Local Food Retailer of the Year

Winner: Peter’s Produce, Herne Bay

Finalists: Holwood Farm Shop, Keston and Monty’s of Birchington, Birchington

Kent Restaurant of the Year

Winner: Googies, Folkestone

Finalists: Ambrette, Margate and The Corner House, Minster

Kent Fishmonger of the Year

Winner: Hudson’s Fish, Herne Bay

Finalists: Aldington Fresh Foods, Ashford and Hollowshore Fisheries, Faversham

Kent Young Food and Farming Entrepreneur of the Year

Winner: Alexandra Auger, founder and managing director at the Juice Executive, near Maidstone

Finalists: Laura Bounds, commercial director at AMC Foods Ltd, Ramsgate and Marie Prebble, Owner, Kent Shepherd, Dover

Kent Cider or Perry of the Year

Winner: Kentish Pip Craftsman – Kentish Pip, Bekesbourne

Finalists: Biddenden Strong Kentish Cider – Biddenden Vineyards and Wise Owl Cider – Wise Owl, Ashford

Kent Farmers' Market of the Year

Winner: Rochester Farmers’ Market

Finalists: Cliftonville Farmers’ Market, Tonbridge Farmers’ Market

Kent Butcher Shop of the Year

Winner: CA Worgans Butchers, the Goods Shed, Canterbury

Finalists: Carnivore Food, Sidcup and Stour Valley Game, Chilham

Kent Beer of the Year

Winner: Romney Amber Ale – Romney Marsh Brewery, New Romney

Finalists: Gadds’ Number 3 – Ramsgate Brewery, Broadstairs and Good Life – Goody Ale, Herne Bay

Best Kent Food Product of the Year

Winner: The Captain’s Crackers, Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt – The Zingiberi Bakery, Herne Bay

Kent Countryside Award

Large - Hush Heath, Staplehurst and Small - Hollin Root Farm, Cranbrook

Kent Juice Producer of the Year

Winner: Chegworth Valley Juices, Harrietsham

Finalists: The Cherry Berry Co, Bexleyheath and Nightingales (Gibbet Oak), Tenterden

Kent Dining Pub of the Year

Winner: The George Inn, Molash

Finalists: King and Queen, East Malling and the Kings Head, Wye

Kent Food Producer of the Year

Winner: AMC Foods Limited, Manston

Finalists: Samovar Foods, Aylesham and Thomas Cookie Co, Maidstone

Produced in Kent Award 2016

Winner: Matthew Kearsey-Lawson in recognition of his commitment to Kent food and drink

For further details go to www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk