Food fans have been given more time to name their choices for the 2025 Cumbria Food Awards.
The deadline for entries and public nominations has been extended by one week, to Thursday December 12.
The independent awards, held in association with Caterite, are due to take place at Kendal College on Thursday March 20, hosted by chef and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt, star of BBC’s Saturday Kitchen.
Members of the public are invited to nominate their favourites across categories including Pub, Café, Chef, Acclaimed Restaurant, Drinks Producer, Casual Dining Venue and Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year. Business owners can also put themselves or their teams forward for an award.
Meanwhile, Porsche Centre South Lakes has been announced as the new sponsor of the Sustainable Business of the Year award.
Now based at a state-of-the-art showroom and service centre near Carnforth, the firm has a long and rich history in Cumbria and was the UK’s first Porsche Centre, having been previously located in Longpool, Kendal.
Marketing manager Richard Smith said that the Parker family has a long-standing commitment to supporting the wider community by backing events such as the Cumbria Food Awards.
Richard said: “Food and drink are a key part of Cumbria and part of our area. We’ve got more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else apart from London.
“In addition, a lot of our customers and a lot of people we work with are involved in the restaurant and hospitality industry. We’re looking forward to the event and celebrating with everyone.”
Richard said that Porsche was keen to show support for companies that have sustainable targets, in line with the car firm’s own ambitions.
Porsche already has two electric cars – the Taycan and Macan – plus hybrid models and plans for more.
It has invested in eFuels, with a pilot plant in Chile and is aiming to be carbon neutral both within the business and throughout its supply chain.
At Porsche Centre South Lakes, sustainability is considered at every level of the business, from solar panels to working towards a paperless office.
Richard added that Porsche vehicles have built-in sustainability: “Seventy per cent of all Porsches are still drivable and still on the road.”
Cumbria Food Awards, which are judged by an independent panel of industry experts, are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry from all parts of Cumbria.
More than 160 finalists, sponsors and special guests will attend the awards evening at Kendal College, where students will cook and serve canapés and a two-course dinner, while Matt Tebbutt announces the winners.
Cumbria Food Awards are supported by headline sponsor Caterite, media partner Cumbria Crack, Kendal College, Booths, Patron Simon Rogan and sponsors.
To enter see www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk
Categories
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
Sponsored by Porsche Centre South Lakes
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
