TV presenter Chris Bavin said it was more important than ever for people in the hospitality industry to come together at events like the Cumbria Food Awards.
Speaking at the fifth annual independent event, held at Kendal College last night, the awards host said he understood how tough it is for food and drink businesses at the moment. Supporting one another could make a real difference, he said.
“Coming together and finding the time to be among your peers is so important, I think arguably it’s more important now than it has ever been.
“Small artisan or independent family food businesses are the absolute lifeblood of this country and I think we should be celebrating them.”
He highlighted the importance of the event for marketing opportunities and congratulating the finalists, he added: “It’s fantastic to win but just by being here tonight – in this wonderful county – is amazing.”
Kendal College principal Jason Turton had earlier spoken about the value of the visitor economy to Cumbria and how important it is for the college to continue to offer excellent hospitality training.
Paying tribute to the high standards in the industry, he said: “It’s exactly why the people in this room deserve the awards and the recognition you’re going to receive tonight.”
He praised the hard work put in by the college’s hospitality students, who prepared, cooked and served canapés and a street food style meal for 165 awards finalists, sponsors, judges and special guests.
Established to recognise and reward excellence in the hospitality industry, the independent Cumbria Food Awards, held in association with Caterite, are judged by a panel of 15 industry experts.
Chris announced the winners in 13 competitive categories, plus three special awards.
A long-standing family pub business and award-winning brewery were recognised with the evening’s top award.
Ian Bradley, the brewer behind the successful Coniston Brewing Co and his mum, Susan Bradley, were presented with the trophy for The Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Heroes, in recognition of their 50 years at the Black Bull Inn and Hotel in Coniston.
Their brewery is the only one in the county to have won the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain, which they achieved for Bluebird Bitter in 1998. In 2012, they repeated the feat with No 9 Barley Wine.
The award for Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year was presented to two winners, after the judges were unable to separate Simon Rogan’s three Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cartmel and the Michelin-starred Forest Side at Grasmere.
The two had scored identical points and were the recipients of the very first joint award to be presented by the Cumbria Food Awards.
The Café of the Year award went to Harry’s at Yew Tree Barn in Low Newton and the Crown and Thistle at Rockcliffe, near Carlisle, was named the Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year.
The new, special Growing Strong Award, sponsored by Associate Sponsor The Cumberland, was won by Eden Yard, from Plumpton near Penrith.
Guests were welcomed to the college with a drinks and canapés reception followed by the street food style dinner, including short rib teriyaki, halloumi sliders, duck spring rolls and orange and white chocolate churros.
Co-organiser Harry Atkinson said: “We have loved planning and putting on the 2026 Cumbria Food Awards. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners, who have shown such talent and skill in what they do.
“We would like to thank our headline sponsor Caterite and all our sponsors and friends for their support. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson, we are the media partner for the awards and Simon Rogan is the event’s patron.
Headline sponsor Caterite and Grapevine provide the ingredients for the awards dinner and drinks served during the evening.
Booths provide the ingredients for the canapés. The awards brochure, printed materials and trophies are supplied by sponsor Reeds, linen is by Shortridge and Linthwaite House near Windermere, part of the Leeu Collection, provided the host’s accommodation.
Cumbria Food Awards 2026 winners and finalists
Specialist Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Hawkshead Relish
- Lovingly Artisan, Kendal and Burneside
Finalists
- Caldbeck Village Store, near Wigton
- J&J Graham, Penrith
Food Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Booths
- Mr Vikki’s, Penrith
Finalists
- Bells of Lazonby, near Penrith
- Northern Pasta, Kendal
Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Grapevine
- Witherslack Orchards, near Grange-over-Sands
Finalists
- Crooked River Brewing Company, Workington
- Pennington’s Spirits, Kendal
Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year
Sponsored by Herdwick Cottages
- Crown and Thistle, Rockcliffe, near Carlisle
Finalists
- Crooked River Tap, Keswick
- The Factory Tap, Kendal
Service of the Year
Sponsored by Academy by Simon Rogan
- Joel Pennington, The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick
Finalists
- Claire McClintock, Whytes Café Bar, Carlisle
- Margaret Stobbart, Dixons Rooftop Café, Whitehaven
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
- The Secret Table, Underscar, near Keswick
Finalists
- Cartmel Old Grammar
- Stable Coffee, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere
Sustainable Business of the Year
- Lovingly Artisan, Kendal and Burneside
Finalists
- Lakes Brew Co, Kendal
- Our Farm, Cartmel
Café of the Year
Sponsored by Cumbria Crack
- Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton
Finalists
- Homeground, Windermere
- Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
- Yonder, Keswick
Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year
- Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza, Barrow-in-Furness
Finalists
- Dosa Chaska, Whitehaven
- Khao Keang, Carlisle
Casual Dining Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Business Finance Cumbria
- Bar eS Tapas, Keswick
Finalists
- Billy’s Bar and Restaurant, Hawkshead
- La Casita, Penrith
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- The Schelly, Ambleside
Finalists
- Horse and Farrier, Dacre
- Helm at The Oak, Curthwaite, near Carlisle
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Westmorland Farmshop
- Jack Bond, The Cottage in the Wood
Finalists
- James Cross, Lake Road Kitchen
- Scott Fairweather, Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn
Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery
- L’Enclume, Cartmel and Forest Side, Grasmere
Finalist
- The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick
Special Awards
- Growing Strong Award – Sponsored by The Cumberland – Eden Yard
- The Rising Star – Sponsored by Kendal College – Victoria Lawson
- The Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Hero – Sponsored by Caterite – Ian Bradley and Susan Bradley
