Food fans have just a few days to nominate their favourite places for the Cumbria Food Awards.
The much-anticipated awards, held in association with Caterite, close to entries and nominations on Thursday, December 21.
The awards, which are judged by a panel of industry experts, are due to take place at Kendal College on Thursday, March 14 2024 and will be hosted by the TV presenter, star of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, chef and restaurateur Simon Rimmer.
Hundreds of nominations and business entries have already been made for cafés, restaurants, chefs, pubs, excellent service, producers and speciality shops throughout Cumbria.
All the entries and nominations will be taken into account by the 15-strong judging panel when they draw up their finalists’ shortlists, to be announced in January.
Cumbria Food Awards are independent and are the only awards in the county dedicated to the hospitality industry.
The awards reception, gala dinner and presentation will be attended by more than 150 finalists, sponsors and special guests. Students at the college will cook and serve canapés and a two-course dinner before Simon Rimmer announces the winners.
Co-organiser Michaela Robinson-Tate said: “Once again, the county’s food lovers have come forward in their hundreds to show how much they appreciate the county’s hospitality sector by nominating their top choices for the 2024 Cumbria Food Awards.
“If you have a favourite pub, café or producer who you think deserves to be recognised, there’s still time to let us know. And if you own a food or drink business in Cumbria that you believe stands out from the crowd, make sure that you put yourself, or one of your team, forward.”
We are Cumbria Food Awards’ media partner and northern grocer Booths is supplying the food for the networking reception.
In addition to headline sponsor Caterite, the category sponsors are: Cranstons; Enterprise Answers; Grapevine; Hawkshead Relish; Herdwick Cottages; Lamont Pridmore; More? The Artisan Bakery; Onunda; Spinning Jennies; The Academy by Simon Rogan and Thomson Hayton Winkley Solicitors.