We last saw them in their black tie finery at the Kent Life and Kent on Sunday Food & Drink Awards – now you can meet our magnificent winners in their own workplaces and hear what they had to say when they realised they’d won
Pub of the Year
Three Tuns, Lower Halstow
Sponsor: Eastwell Manor
Owner: Chris and Carol Haines
We are really overwhelmed to have won this award. We have been nominated two years in a row, which is amazing in itself. It is obviously down to our customers for us winning because they nominated us, and I can’t explain into words what an honour that is. Also for the judges choosing us, it is amazing and I really can’t put it into words. It is also in addition to the whole team of people, it is brilliant. Thank you. I can’t wait to put the award on top of the fire place. Again thank you so much.
Restaurant of the Year
Chapter One, Locksbottom
Sponsor: Rix & Kay Solicitors
Owner: Andrew McLeish
I am just really shocked and it is such a great achievement to win ‘Restaurant Of The Year.’ We have won two awards this evening, which is fantastic. This award is about the whole team coming together, which is important in this industry. It is a tough industry to see the other side of it, so it is fantastic to have won. We believe it is not just about the food, but looking after the guests. This award shows the whole package. See also review page xx.
Hero of the Year
Amanda Cottrell OBE, Challock
Sponsor: Faversham.org
I am completely obsessed by Kent. I came from the Lake District a long time ago before I moved to Kent. After two weeks I was completely involved in the county. I am a farmers’ daughter and I have farmed in Kent for more than 40 years, so I have a great link to the farming community. Recently, Visit Kent did a survey to find out how many people wanted to keep the title ‘Garden Of England’ and it was an unanimous 98 per cent of the poll. It is a really strong brand. The farms are so special and Kent is very diverse as you can travel for miles and the countryside changes completely. It feels absolutely wonderful, especially winning this award as the rural community means more to me then whatever else I do in Kent. It is a massive honour to win this award, I just can’t believe it. I can’t wait for it to go in the pride of place in the house I have just moved into, it is very old and I have just restored it. It is such a lovely award, thank you very much!
