A restaurant in Boughton Monchelsea has won a top honour.

The Mulberry Tree, of Hermitage Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, beat off stiff competition to gain the title of Kent’s Best Restaurant in the Taste of Kent Awards.

The Taste of Kent Awards are the brainchild of the county’s food and drink champions, Produced in Kent, which are now in their fifth year.

The finalists, together with Produced in Kent’s key supporters, Kent County Council and Hadlow College, gathered at Leeds Castle with the award sponsors to hear the winners announced.

Produced in Kent Manager Julie Monkman said: “The Taste of Kent Awards are increasingly seen as the benchmark of regional quality and business innovation by the buying public.

“We have seen some outstanding products and companies in Kent recognised in the Taste of Kent Awards. Clearly, our county has a great deal to celebrate.

“In a tough economic climate, all these companies are playing a pivotal role in creating jobs and stimulating Kent’s rural economy.”

The 2008 Taste of Kent Awards winners are:

• Best Butcher/Meat Producer: A J Barkaway, Faversham.

• Best Beer: Ramsgate Brewery, Ramsgate – Gadds No 3.

• Best Wine: Chapel Down Winery, Tenterden – Chapel Down English Rose.

• Best Seafood Retailer: Whitstable Fish Market.

• Best Local Food Retailer: The Little Stour Farm Shop, Wingham.

• Best Farmers’ Market: Cliftonville, Margate.

• Best Non-Alcoholic Drink Producer: Pine Trees Farm, Doddington.

• Best Food Producer: Blue Bell Hill Apiaries, Lidsing, near Gillingham.

• Best Food & Drink Product: The Chapel Press, Burmarsh – Rapeseed Oil.

• Best Restaurant: The Mulberry Tree, Boughton Monchelsea.

• Best Pub: The Plough at Stalisfield, Stalisfield Green, near Faversham.

• Best Cider or Perry: Hard Core Cider, Core Fruit Products, Mystole, near Canterbury.

• Best Innovative Product: Fruit Leather, Butterfly Meadow, Whitstable.