Outstanding chefs, restaurants, cafés, producers and retailers have been named as finalists for the Cumbria Food Awards 2024.
From Peace and Loaf Bakehouse in Barrow to Pentonbridge Inn on the English-Scottish border, the shortlists for the much-anticipated awards are drawn from across the county.
The independent Cumbria Food Awards, held in association with Caterite, take place on Thursday, March 14 at Kendal College and will be hosted by the chef, TV presenter and restaurateur, Simon Rimmer.
After attracting more than 1,400 business entries and public nominations, the independent panel of judges had a challenging task to decide on their shortlists in 13 competitive categories.
Co-organiser Michaela Robinson-Tate said: “In a county which has 13 Michelin stars across 11 places and some of the country’s best chefs, producers and restaurants, competition for the Cumbria Food Awards continues to be incredibly tough.
“Our 15-strong panel of judges, chosen for their experience and knowledge, debated their choices long and hard. All of the finalists can be incredibly proud of having made the shortlist.
“We’d like to thank every member of the public who took the time to make a nomination and every business owner who put themselves forward.”
This year, the Restaurant of the Year category will be contested by 1863 at Pooley Bridge, Pentonbridge Inn near Carlisle and Rogan & Co in Cartmel.
The finalists for Café of the Year are Homeground at Windermere; Levens Kitchen at Levens Hall near Kendal and The Lingholm Kitchen at Portinscale.
The Kendal bakery Lovingly Artisan; pie producer The Wagtail Kitchen, also in Kendal and the Maryport preserves maker Wild & Fruitful are in the running for Food Producer of the Year.
The Chef of the Year will be chosen from among Chris Archer of Pentonbridge Inn, Ollie Bridgwater, of SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House at Windermere and Paul Leonard at The Forest Side at Grasmere.
The Cumbria Food Awards reception, gala dinner and presentation on March 14 will be attended by more than 150 finalists, sponsors and special guests. Kendal College students will cook and serve canapés and a two-course dinner before the host, Simon Rimmer, announces the winners.
In addition to headline sponsor Caterite, Cumbria Food Awards category sponsors are: Academy by Simon Rogan; Cranstons; Cumbria Crack; Enterprise Answers; Grapevine; Hawkshead Relish; Herdwick Cottages; Kendal College; Lamont Pridmore; More? The Artisan Bakery; Onunda; Spinning Jennies; Stagecoach and Thomson Hayton Winkley Solicitors.
We are Cumbria Food Awards’ media partner. Northern grocer Booths is supplying the food for the networking reception and H&H Reeds is providing printing services.
For more information see www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk
Cumbria Food Awards 2024 finalists
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Hawkshead Relish
- A Day’s Walk, Cark-in-Cartmel and Ambleside
- Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall, Penrith
- Grasmere Gingerbread, Grasmere
Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Grapevine
- Fell Brewery, Flookburgh
- Great Corby Brewhouse, near Carlisle
- Penningtons Tea & Coffee, Kendal
Food Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Cranstons
- Lovingly Artisan, Kendal
- The Wagtail Kitchen, Kendal
- Wild & Fruitful, Maryport
Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year
Sponsored by Herdwick Cottages
- 5 O’clock Somewhere, Kendal
- Ambleside Tap Yard
- The Drover’s Rest, Monkhill, Burgh-by-Sands, Carlisle
Service of the Year
Sponsored by Academy by Simon Rogan
- Ross Bell, Pentonbridge Inn, Penton near Carlisle
- Tom Kilshaw, Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
- Alice Mullin, 5 O’clock Somewhere, Kendal
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley Solicitors
- Force Café, Ambleside
- Northern Wine, Kendal
- Three Hills Gelato, Torpenhow near Wigton
Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year
Sponsored by Onunda
- Roast Mutton, Kendal
- Shed One Gin, Ulverston
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Café of the Year
Sponsored by Cumbria Crack
- Homeground, Windermere
- Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
- The Lingholm Kitchen, Portinscale
Casual Dining Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Enterprise Answers
- Fell Pack, Keswick
- Peace and Loaf Bakehouse, Barrow
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Dining Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- George & Dragon, Clifton near Penrith
- Heft, High Newton
- The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Stagecoach
- SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, near Windermere
- The Forest Side, Grasmere
- The Samling, Windermere
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Spinning Jennies
- Chris Archer of Pentonbridge Inn, Penton near Carlisle
- Ollie Bridgwater, SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House at Windermere
- Paul Leonard, The Forest Side, Grasmere
Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery
- 1863, Pooley Bridge
- Pentonbridge Inn, Penton near Carlisle
- Rogan & Co, Cartmel
Special awards
To be announced on the night:
- The Rising Star Award, sponsored by Kendal College
- Outstanding Contribution, sponsored by Caterite
