A Lake District restaurant is celebrating one of its most successful seven days to date.
The Cottage in the Wood at Whinlatter, near Keswick, was ranked 62nd in the National Restaurant Awards, collected the Liberty Wines Service Award and earned a new entry in the Opinionated About Dining Top European Restaurants list.
Restaurant manager Joel Pennington was also recognised with a prestigious Acorn Award.
Now in its 40th year, the Acorn Awards, affectionately known as the 30 Under 30, recognise the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry.
Winners are nominated by their peers for making an impression and inspiring others, and are drawn from every sector of the trade.
Joel said: “I’m honoured to be named one of The Caterer’s Acorn Award winners for 2026.
“This recognition reflects the support, guidance, and opportunities I’ve been fortunate to receive throughout my career, including from Beth, who is herself a previous winner. I’ve been lucky to learn from some exceptional people along the way, and I hope to pass that on to colleagues in the future.”
Previous recipients include Cottage in the Wood’s Beth Bond, Jamie Oliver and Marco Pierre White, alongside many other leading figures in UK hospitality.
At the National Restaurant Awards, chef-owner Jack Bond was shortlisted in the Chef to Watch category, while the restaurant also collected the Liberty Wines Service Award.
The award cited the atmosphere that Beth and Joel have created together. It said: “[Beth and Joel] have cultivated an atmosphere that feels a world away from the stereotypical Michelin-starred dining room.
“Service is relaxed, engaging and highly personal, combining technical expertise with genuine warmth. The result is a style of hospitality that is skilfully delivered yet informal.”
Today, global dining guide Opinionated About Dining included The Cottage in the Wood as a new entry in their 2026 Top European Restaurants list, at number 756.
Jack and Beth said: “Being listed in the National Restaurant Awards Top 100 for the first time under our ownership is huge news for the whole team.
“To collect the Liberty Wines Service Award on the same night, to see Joel receive his Acorn Award earlier that day, and to be listed in the OAD Europe Guide, it has been a remarkable week.
“Everything we’ve achieved reflects the hard work and dedication of every single person here. This one belongs to all of them.”
