Digitom sponsors TOKA 2026

May 2026

We are proud to be sponsoring the Taste of Kent Awards 2026, supporting one of the county’s most established celebrations of food, drink and hospitality.

Now in its twentieth year, the awards continue to recognise the producers, growers, makers and hospitality businesses who shape Kent’s food culture and contribute to its communities.

At Digitom, our approach has always been rooted in place. We believe that the environments we live, work and play in matter, and that the organisations shaping those environments deserve thoughtful, meaningful support.

Culture, Craft and Communication

Food and drink are expressions of place, values and identity. The same is true of the strongest organisations. Both rely on craft, consistency and clarity of purpose, and both succeed when people understand not only what is being created, but why it exists.

At Digitom, we work with organisations to help them communicate who they are and what they stand for, whether through communications, recruitment or learning and development. Local food producers and hospitality businesses do this instinctively. Their work is rooted in provenance, responsibility and lived experience, and their stories are inseparable from the communities they serve.

Carol Ford speaking on stage at the Taste of Kent Awards launch, standing in front of branded event backdrop

The Taste of Kent Awards recognise this depth. Organised by Produced in Kent, the awards celebrate excellence across the full food and drink ecosystem, from individual products to hospitality and retail experiences, and whole‑business achievement.

The 2026 awards feature 24 categories, reflecting the interconnected nature of Kent’s food economy and the people behind it. By supporting the awards, Digitom is backing the idea that strong local culture deserves clear, honest representation.

When businesses are recognised for the care they take, the standards they uphold and the impact they have, it raises expectations across the sector and reinforces the value of communication shaped by real experience rather than surface‑level messaging.

Rochester and Strood's MP Lauren Edwards at the Taste of Kent Awards launch event, wearing name badges and holding drinks

This thinking is reflected in the 2026 awards, with entry to all four hospitality and retail categories made free. The decision acknowledges the pressures facing the sector and helps ensure that recognition is accessible to the businesses that deserve it, with winners determined through a combination of public vote and expert judging.

Founder and Creative Director Tom Chown explains why supporting the awards matters to us.

“We are proud to support the Taste of Kent Awards for a second time, celebrating the skill, care and commitment of Kent’s food and drink producers. Locally sourced, responsibly made produce strengthens our county and its communities.

“The awards align closely with our belief in supporting the places where we live, work and play, and in championing organisations that create real, positive impact through what they do.”

Tom Chown

Founder

Digitom

A landmark year

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Taste of Kent Awards, with the ceremony taking place on 8 October 2026 at the GlassBox Theatre in Gillingham.

It is the first time the awards have been hosted in Medway, marking an important milestone for the event and its continued evolution.

The evening will bring together producers, hospitality businesses, retailers and industry leaders from across the county to celebrate achievement, share experience and build connections that support the future of Kent’s food and drink sector.

Leader of Medway Council Vince Maple at the Taste of Kent Awards launch event

Entries now open

Entries for product and business categories open on 5 May 2026, with a deadline of 17 June 2026. Hospitality and retail categories are free to enter, with public voting opening at the same time.

If you are a food or drink producer, hospitality business or independent retailer based in Kent, we encourage you to take part.

The awards offer an opportunity to reflect on your work, gain recognition from peers and experts, and contribute to a wider celebration of the county’s food culture.