Leading Cumbrian business H&H Group is to sponsor the Food Producer of the Year award for the second time in the Cumbria Food Awards.
The long-established group, with a history which stretches back 150 years, is a holding company for five companies which together provide livestock marketing, auctioneering, commercial print, digital marketing, insurance and property services.
Chief executive Richard Rankin said: “Both the importance and quality of food and food production in this county deservedly need more recognition and anything H&H can do to help with that, we see as part of our mission and duty to the rural economy.”
One of Cumbria’s best known food producers and retailers, Cranstons is returning as sponsor of Drinks Producer of the Year.
Cranstons is a family-run and multiple award-winning master butchers and makers which was established in 1914 and now has a string of local produce food halls and traditional shops, plus a growing online operation. It was shortlisted for Specialist Food Retailer of the Year at the 2022 Cumbria Food Awards.
Managing director Martin Jones said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Cumbria Food Awards once again. Last year’s event was a real celebration of the strength and vibrancy of Cumbria’s food and drink scene. We can’t wait to see which of the region’s many amazing food businesses make the shortlist this year.”
A family business established more than 20 years ago and still based in the village which inspired its name, Hawkshead Relish is backing the awards again as sponsor of Specialist Food Retailer of the Year.
Founded by Maria and Mark Whitehead, Hawkshead Relish is known for its multi award-winning range of more than 100 preserves which are made by hand and free from additives and preservatives. Maria was a member of the independent judging panel for the 2022 Cumbria Food Awards.
She said: “It was an absolute pleasure for Hawkshead Relish to be a sponsor and a real honour to be asked to be a judge for the Cumbria Food Awards.
“It’s the event of the year for all the food and drink establishments in the county and one not to be missed for so many reasons. With many awards throughout the year this is definitely the hottest ticket in town and one that everyone takes notice of.”
A new sponsor is The Factory Tap, winners of the 2022 Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year award.
Owner Ronnie Mullin, said that having won the award last year, he wanted to support the event by sponsoring the same category.
Ronnie said: “We might win it next year but we don’t really want to hog the limelight. Sponsoring gives us an opportunity to still be involved in what is a great event.”
The Factory Tap was established seven years ago as a music-free destination with a friendly atmosphere, where customers can chat and find a good selection of high quality beer. Knowledgeable and speedy service are also part of its USP.
The award for Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year is to be sponsored by Eco-I North West, a pioneering project which is helping the county to achieve an ambitious carbon zero goal.
Eco-I North West works with businesses, including those in the food and drink sector, to provide expertise from world class academics and high-level degree students on a scale never seen before.
Project manager Mike Siddall said: “We are really excited to be involved in the Cumbria Food Awards again this year. The awards are an excellent showcase of the creativity, innovation and skill of the food industry in the county, the very ingredients that we believe are required to meet our objectives of carbon reduction.”
The closely contested Dining Pub of the Year award will once again be sponsored by Lamont Pridmore.
The chartered accountants and tax and business advisers has a large number of clients across the hospitality, food and drink and leisure and tourism sectors. A long-established business, it provides
business advice, tax advice, wealth planning and investment services.
Chief executive Graham Lamont said: “It’s so important to celebrate and recognise our county’s best and brightest businesses and the individuals behind them.
“These awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the exceptional levels of quality and service that our food and drink businesses are providing to a global audience. While many have faced real challenges in recent times, they continue to plan for the future and proudly fly the flag for Cumbria.”
Shortridge, which works with many of Cumbria’s hotels and hospitality businesses, is returning to sponsor the Hotel Restaurant of the Year category.
The business, which was founded in 1845, has three main sites, at Lilyhall in West Cumbria, Dumfries and Darlington and offers a rental and laundry service for table linen, bed linen and towels, handling hundreds of thousands of pieces of laundry each week.
Known for its premium customer service, many of Cumbria’s hospitality businesses rely on Shortridge to provide top class laundry services.
MD Peter Semple said: “After such a hugely successful event last year, Shortridge are delighted to support the event and the local hospitality industry by renewing our sponsorship for the Hotel Restaurant of the Year award.
“The awards serve as a great reminder of just how healthy the hospitality sector is in Cumbria. We really do punch above our weight as a county and Shortridge are happy to be a part of that success.”
A much anticipated award, for Restaurant of the Year, will again be sponsored by leading Cumbrian food producer More? The Artisan Bakery.
Founded by former chef Patrick Moore, the multiple award-winning business is based at Staveley Mill Yard near Kendal and includes a busy café, which was a finalist for the Café of the Year award at the 2022 Cumbria Food Awards.
Patrick is driven by an ambition to produce additive-free long-process breads and baked goods which are full of flavour and nutritional value. The bakery has been a long-term supplier of Tebay Services and millions of viewers tuned in to see Patrick and More? feature in the Channel 4 series, A Lake District Farm Shop.
Patrick said: “Cumbria continues to set the bar in food and drink in this country. The pool that we have to choose from is absolutely incredible; it’s the best of the best and to be associated with that is obviously of great benefit to us all.
“The awards really showcase all that’s good and great in our county.”
Cumbria Crack is the Cumbria Food Awards media partner and the award-winning and three Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Simon Rogan is event patron.
Cumbria Food Awards are organised by L+M Events, who are designer Lindsay Molloy and journalist Michaela Robinson-Tate.
