There were tears and cheers as the winners of the Cumbria Food Awards 2023 were announced.
The second independent awards were held at Kendal College in front of more than 150 guests, when 16 awards were presented to food and drink businesses across the county.
Held in association with Caterite, the event was hosted by Irini Tzortzoglou, the winner of the 2019 BBC MasterChef competition.
An emotional Patrick Moore of More? The Artisan Bakery at Staveley near Kendal was presented with the evening’s top award for Outstanding Contribution.
The audience heard about his background as a chef, his ambitions to bake and sell additive free, long process loaves full of flavour and nutritional value and his commitment to Cumbria.
Among his career highlights were the Supreme Champion prize at the Great Taste awards, when his gluten free Muddee was named best product in the UK and a top trophy for his Lakeland Treacle Bread at the Baking Industry Awards.
Host Irini Tzortzoglou told the audience: “In the early days, this food hero spent many nights in an old sleeping bag next to the oven waiting for his last loaves to bake. I don’t think he does that today but what hasn’t changed – and will never change – is his commitment to the taste, high quality and the nutritional value of what he makes.”
In a congratulatory video message, his friend, the Michelin-starred chef Michael Wignall, chef patron of The Angel at Hetton, spoke about Patrick’s commitment to Cumbria.
Patrick told the audience about his passion for the Lake District and his belief in his industry peers: “I’m from Barrow-in-Furness, I’m a proud northerner and there isn’t anything that I don’t think we can do. So to talk about the best of Cumbria, to me that’s irrelevant, we are the best in the country and globally at what we do.”
The award for Café of the Year went to Industry Kitchen at Barrow-in-Furness, which the judges said was a fantastic addition to the local area.
Rob Unwin, of Roast Mutton in Kendal, was presented with the trophy for Specialist Retailer of the Year. The judges called his butcher’s shop a shining light of provenance.
Jannike and Ben Taylor, who run Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil from their farm at Plumpton, were the choice for the Inspiring Cumbria Award, sponsored by Eden District Council, in recognition of their achievements establishing the county’s only homegrown oil business.
More than 1,400 nominations from members of the public and entries from businesses were received for the awards, which were decided by a panel of independent judges.
During the evening, students from Kendal College’s highly regarded hospitality department prepared, cooked and served canapés for a reception, followed by a two-course meal.
Headline sponsor and wholesaler Caterite provided the ingredients for dinner, with reception and table drinks supplied by its wine business, Grapevine Wine Services.
The reception was sponsored by Eden District Council, the event’s associate partner and grocer Booths provided the canapé ingredients.
The free-to-enter awards are supported by media partner Cumbria Crack, Patron Simon Rogan and category sponsors.
Launched in 2022, the Cumbria Food Awards are organised by designer Lindsay Molloy and journalist Michaela Robinson-Tate.
Cumbria Food Awards 2023 winners
Specialist Food Retailer of the year (Sponsored by Hawkshead Relish)
Roast Mutton, Kendal
Drinks Producer of the Year (Sponsored by Cranstons)
Red Bank Coffee Roasters, Kendal
Food Producer of the Year (Sponsored by H&H Group)
Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy, near Wigton
Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year (Sponsored by The Factory Tap)
The Royal Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale
Pop-Up/Street Food Seller of the Year (Sponsored by Taste Hospitality Recruitment)
Sweet Treats by Martin Frickel, Kendal
New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley)
Northern Pasta, Kendal
Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year (Sponsored by Eco-I North West)
Our Farm, Cartmel
Special Award
The Inspiring Cumbria Award (Sponsored by Eden District Council)
Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil, near Penrith
Café of the Year (Sponsored by Cumbria Crack)
Industry Kitchen, Barrow-in-Furness
Casual Dining Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Grapevine Wine Services)
The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Dining Pub of the Year (Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore)
Heft, High Newton
Special Award
Rising Star (Sponsored by Kendal College)
Niall Frith, The Forest Side, Grasmere
Hotel Restaurant of the Year (Sponsored by Shortridge)
Allium at Askham Hall
Restaurant of the Year (Sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery)
L’Enclume, Cartmel
Chef of the Year (Sponsored by Spinning Jennies)
Paul Leonard, The Forest Side, Grasmere
Special Award
Outstanding Contribution (Sponsored by Caterite)
Patrick Moore
