Food and drink businesses and their fans are urged to enter the county’s only dedicated culinary awards.
Nominations for the closely contested 2023 Cumbria Food Awards can be made online from Sunday, November 20.
Last year, nearly 500 entries were received for the independent awards and the organisers hope that number will be exceeded for the 2023 event.
Members of the public can nominate their favourite places across 13 categories including café; casual dining venue; pub, bar or taproom and food and drink producers. Business owners are invited to enter their venue or a valued member of staff.
The independent Cumbria Food Awards, which are returning for a second year, were set up to recognise and celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry from around the county.
The much anticipated event will be hosted by Irini Tzortzoglou, from Cartmel, the winner of television’s MasterChef, cookbook author and olive oil sommelier.
Held in association with headline sponsor Caterite, the awards will take place on Thursday March 16, in front of an audience of more than 150 finalists, sponsors and special guests.
The guests will be welcomed to a drinks and canapés reception before a two-course meal, which is cooked and served by students at Kendal College, one of the country’s leading providers of hospitality training.
Host Irini will introduce the finalists and announce the winners in each category. In addition, a number of special awards, including the trophy for Outstanding Contribution, will be presented on the night.
The awards, which are free to enter, are judged by an independent panel of food and drink experts, chosen for their knowledge and experience.
The awards, which were launched in 2022 and hosted by TV star and Hairy Biker Dave Myers, are organised by L+M Events, who are Lindsay Molloy and Michaela Robinson-Tate.
Michaela said: “We were over the moon when we received almost 500 entries for the 2022 awards and we hope we can build on that for the second annual event.
“If you have a favourite venue in Cumbria, or you believe your business deserves recognition, please fill in the online entry form. You have to be in it, to win it.”
Cumbria Food Awards are supported by associate partner Eden District Council, media partner Cumbria Crack, Kendal College, Booths, Patron Simon Rogan and sponsors.
Cumbria Food Awards 2023 categories
- Food Producer of the Year
- Drinks Producer of the Year
- Specialist Food Retailer of the Year
- Pop Up or Street Food Seller of the Year
- Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year
- Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year
- Casual Dining Venue of the Year
- New Business of the Year
- Café of the Year
- Dining Pub of the Year
- Hotel Restaurant of the year
- Chef of the Year
- Restaurant of the Year
To enter, from Sunday November 20, visit www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk
Entries close on December 30.
