Chefs, restaurateurs, pub owners and producers from throughout Cumbria are urged take part in the county’s much-anticipated food awards.
Public nominations from food fans are also invited for the independent awards, which take place on Thursday 20 March at Kendal College. The host will be chef and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt.
Entries and nominations for the Cumbria Food Awards, held in association with Caterite, will open on Thursday November 7.
The awards were launched to recognise and celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry from around the county. Chefs, restaurants, pubs, cafés, food and drink producers and front-of-house staff compete for the coveted trophies.
This year, a new award will be presented to the county’s Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year.
Last year’s awards attracted more than 1,400 entries and nominations.
How the Cumbria Food Awards nominations and entries work
- Members of the public are invited to nominate their favourites in as many categories as they wish. The awards are not decided by public vote but the nominations will inform the judges’ selection.
- Business owners can enter the appropriate category.
- The nominations and business entries are used to create a long list for the judges’ consideration.
- The long list will be whittled down to a shortlist of three or four finalists for each category.
- Judging visits and tastings take place before the winners are selected.
More than 160 finalists, sponsors and special guests will attend the awards presentation at Kendal College, where students will cook and serve canapés and a two-course dinner while Matt Tebbutt announces the winners.
The free-to-enter awards, which are judged by an independent panel of food and drink experts, are organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson.
Michaela said: “Each year we are bowled over by the number and variety of public nominations and business entries for Cumbria Food Awards and we hope this year will be the same.
“Our judges are experts in their field and they like nothing better than to hear about new places and hidden gems that are worthy of an award.
“If you have a favourite local takeaway, pub, restaurant or chef and you think they deserve to win a Cumbria Food Award, or you believe your business is worthy of a trophy, please go to our website from November 7 to make your voice heard.”
Cumbria Food Awards are supported by headline sponsor Caterite, media partner Cumbria Crack, Kendal College, Booths, Patron Simon Rogan and sponsors.
To enter, from Thursday 7 November, see www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk
Cumbria Food Awards 2025 categories
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Hawkshead Relish
Food Producer of the Year
Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Grapevine
Service of the Year
Sponsored by Academy by Simon Rogan
Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year
Sponsored by Herdwick Cottages
Sustainable Business of the Year
Casual Dining Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Enterprise Answers
Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year
Sponsored by Cranstons
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
Café of the Year
Sponsored by Cumbria Crack
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Westmorland Farmshop
Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery
Special awards
(no nominations sought)
The Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Kendal College
Cumbrian Food Hero
Sponsored by Caterite
