In recognition of the high standards in culinary excellence throughout the county, OrderOnlineNow.co.uk, in association with a number of other local Kent companies, has initiated the inaugural Kent Restaurants Awards.

Despite being one of the most affluent areas of the country and surrounded by some of the finest farm produce, wild game and seafood, Kent restaurateurs have gained surprisingly few Michelin stars.

Recently, however, there have been a number of high profile openings and there are a growing number of establishments whose cooking rivals some of the best in the country.

Voting has now closed in the 2009 Kent Restaurant Awards. A big thank you to all the Restaurants that entered the awards and a big big thank you to all of you that voted. Watch this space for the announcement of the finalists and winners.

The Kent Restaurant Awards are designed to reflect the diversity and quality of cuisines available and we welcome your nominations of favourite dining destinations. All entries will be nominated into a free draw to win a meal for two at your choice of category winners.

The special awards were made in recognition of their contribution to the Restaurant standards in Kent.

Congratulations to all the finalists and the winners. Also, a big thank you for all the public that voted, the judges and to the restaurants who participated in this years awards.

Special thanks to George Shaw at Avocado Media and Bob "the cat" Bevan who compered for the night.

The Kent Restaurant Awards are sponsored by Vertex Law and OrderOnlineNow.co.uk.

Photos of the Awards Dinner by Tim Stubbings Photography can be seen here

The winners in The Kent Restaurant Awards , sponsored by Vertex Law, were announced at The Awards Dinner held at The Ashford International Hotel, the category winners were judged as:

	The Best Bar/Cafe/Tea Room/Vegetarian Age & Sons Cafe-Bar - Ramsgate
	Best Takeaway Prince of India Restaurant - Faversham
	The Best Indian The Raja of Kent Tenterden
	The Best Oriental Thai Square Restaurant - Sevenoaks
	The Best International Buenos Aires Restaurant - Maidstone
	The Best Italian La Magnolia Restaurant - Ramsgate
	The Best French Le Restaurant Fabrice - Teynham
	The Best English Richard Phillips at Chapel Down - Tenterden
	The Best Seafood Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant - Hythe
	The Best Hotel Restaurant Eastwell Manor - Ashford
	The Best Gastro Pub George and Dragon - Ightham
	The Best Gourmet Thackeray's - Tunbridge Wells
Special Awards were awarded to:
	Best Newcomer Eddie Gilberts - Ramsgate
	Best Cellar Montrose Restaurant - Tunbridge Wells
	Best Launch Harveys Fish Market & Oyster Bar - Ramsgate