Produced in Kent appoint new manager

Edwyn Martin

Agriculture and exploration expert joins the team

Local food promoters Produced in Kent has announced the Edwyn Martin as the new manager of the group. Edwyn will take charge of the long-standing team that has seen Produced in Kent grow from strength to strength since it was re-established by Kent County Council in 2005.

The new chief was born and raised on a North Devon hill farm where home cooking and farm produce was an essential part of life. After a west country schooling, he graduated as a geographer and travelled widely as an exploration geologist and field scientist.

His first job was working for Sir Ranulph Fiennes on his epic three-year expedition around the world via both poles, known as The British Transglobe Expedition, this was the first time this had ever been done. Having lived and worked in extreme climates and obscure locations in many parts of the world, Edwyn has had ample opportunity to discover and taste all manner of local produce, some not to be repeated.

Edwyn trained as a chef in his student days and worked in a number of restaurants and commercial kitchens and this experience later resurfaced when he opened a cafe in London’s famous Borough Market, meeting and working with stallholders and producers from all over the country as well as a number of food writers, TV chefs and restaurateurs.

After moving to Kent, he worked as a chef in Canterbury before setting up an independent research and development company exploring issues and opportunities in land use, conservation and agriculture, both in the UK and globally.

During this time he was awarded a diploma in countryside management by the University of London. He is also a member of the Kent Wildlife Trust, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and lives in Faversham.

William Opie, chairman of the Produced in Kent board said:

“I am delighted to welcome Edwyn onto the Produced in Kent team. Never has the time been better to promote our great local produce and I very much look forward to working with Edwyn as we take PinK forward during challenging but very exciting times ahead.”

yourcanterbury 7th Jan 2013