Businesses are urged to stand up and show why Cumbria’s food and drink sector is booming.
The advice comes from one of Eden’s winners of the 2022 Cumbria Food Awards, who credits the trophy with driving business to the pub.
Venues, producers and specialist retailers were shortlisted and won categories at the first independent Cumbria Food Awards, which took place in March.
Now all Eden food and drink businesses are urged to enter the 2023 awards – held in association with Caterite – and compete with the best names from across the county.
The Black Swan at Ravenstonedale picked up a top award when it was named Dining Pub of the Year.
Head chef Scott Fairweather, who was at Kendal College to collect the trophy from the host, TV chef and Hairy Biker Dave Myers, said: “The Cumbria Food Awards is now regarded as one of the main highlights of the year for many hospitality businesses across the county and because of the vast amount of quality establishments, just to be included as a finalist really is a fantastic achievement.
“Winning the award in 2022 really helped to establish our business among such fantastic competition and because of the nature of our location, it played its part in drawing in customers from further afield.”
He said that filling in the entry form allowed them the opportunity to look at what they’ve achieved and plan improvements for the year ahead, helping them to progress the business.
“The Eden district really has shown over the past few years that it has so much to offer in terms of fantastic hospitality, which sometimes goes unnoticed,” he said. “I would really recommend you all to stand up, be proud to show off your business and demonstrate how Eden plays a pivotal role in helping to maintain Cumbria’s fantastic reputation for all things food and drink.”
Mary Robinson, the portfolio holder for economy and enterprise for Eden District Council, was delighted that so many of the 2022 finalists and winners were from Eden.
“Each one of them pride themselves with offering customers exceptional quality and service using products sourced from the local area,” she said. “They are and continue to be a credit to the area’s vibrant economy, helping to support local industry and attract visitors to our beautiful corner of Cumbria.”
Cllr Robinson said the authority’s Inspiring Eden economic development work programme enables it to support businesses across many sectors, from farming to food production and the visitor economy, through a variety of business focused funding and support initiatives.
From providing The Farmer Network with funds to support and encourage more people to stay in farming, to offering businesses the opportunity to train new people in specialist skills within the hospitality industry, Inspiring Eden provides opportunities to grow and strengthen the area’s economy.
She added: “Awards such as the Cumbria Food Awards are really important to help encourage and showcase the very best of the region’s food and drink offering.
“For businesses, the very fact they are shortlisted or even become winners of such awards demonstrates a commitment to achieving excellence that we wholeheartedly wish to encourage into the future.
“At a time when our area’s hospitality industry is facing many challenges, caused by a range of economic issues, I believe it is so important to support awards such as Cumbria Food Awards, which motivate and encourage businesses to grow, develop and in turn benefit the communities and visitors they serve.”
