Cumbria Food Awards are to return for the second time.
The keenly contested awards, which recognise the very best in the food, drink and hospitality sector across the county, will take place next March.
The awards, which will be free to enter, will be returning to Kendal College, one of the country’s most highly rated hospitality training providers. The headline sponsor will again be leading independent Cumbrian food supplier Caterite and Cumbria Crack is the media partner.
Caterite managing director Lorcan Byrne said: “We are delighted to once again be the headline sponsor for this fantastic event, showcasing the very best Cumbria has to offer. “The inaugural evening was something really special and we all hope to build on that success, highlighting the talent in our county and to continue to support the fabulous work that is put in by the organisers to bring this showcase together.”
The first Cumbria Food Awards, hosted by TV star and Hairy Biker Dave Myers, attracted nearly 500 entries across 13 categories, including Café of the Year, Food Producer of the Year and Dining Pub of the Year.
A panel of independent judges was tasked with selecting 39 finalists, who were invited to the awards dinner and presentation evening for 150 guests – including the cream of the county’s hospitality industry – at Kendal College.
Winners included The Yan at Broadrayne in Grasmere, which was named Casual Dining Venue of the Year; The Cottage in the Wood at Whinlatter, which took home Restaurant of the Year and Lakes Brew Co, which was presented with the award for Drinks Producer of the Year.
The multi Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, Simon Rogan, received the evening’s top award for Outstanding Contribution, in recognition of his achievements over 20 years in Cartmel and Cumbria.
The return of the 2023 awards was announced at Cartmel earlier this month when the event’s patron, Simon Rogan, opened his growing operation, Our Farm, for a one-off reception for sponsors, finalists and winners.
The guests were shown around the farm, where manager John Rowland and the team produce vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers for Simon’s restaurants. They were served taster dishes and drinks created from produce recently harvested at the farm, including radish and lovage, cabbage and horseradish warm salad, onion and chive and fennel and kale.
The 2023 awards will take place on Thursday, March 16. Students at Kendal College will cook and serve dinner for more than 150 finalists, sponsors and guests before the awards winners are announced.
Kendal College principal Kelvin Nash said: “Kendal College is delighted to host the Cumbria Food Awards again in 2023. The event brings together the highest levels of talent and showcases the very best of Cumbrian hospitality.
“Our catering students can’t wait to be involved, as it puts them at the very heart of an event which enables them to meet with and learn from the best in their field.”
Entries will open in the autumn, when members of the public will be invited to nominate their favourite producers, places to eat and chefs. Hospitality businesses will be able to enter the awards.
The awards are organised by L+M Events, who are Lindsay Molloy and journalist Michaela Robinson-Tate.
