There’s still time to have your say in the 2025 Cumbria Food Awards.
Food and drink fans from throughout the county have been getting in touch to nominate their favourite cafés, pubs, restaurants and chefs.
And business owners have been telling the awards team why they deserve to be recognised.
The annual independent awards, held in association with Caterite, take place on Thursday March 20 at Kendal College.
The host will be TV presenter and chef Matt Tebbutt, from BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen.
The awards were designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry from all parts of Cumbria.
This year, a new award will be presented to the county’s Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year. Other awards are for Pub of the Year, Food Producer of the Year, Casual Dining Venue of the Year, Chef of the Year and Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year.
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.
Judged by an independent panel, the awards are free to enter and are organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson.
Michaela said: “Entries and nominations for the awards have been coming in thick and fast but there is still time to get involved.
“If you love a restaurant or café, or you think your team deserves to be on the stage with Matt Tebbutt, go to the awards website to enter. You have to be in it to win it.”
How the awards nominations and entries work
- People are invited to nominate their favourites in as many categories as they wish.
- The awards are not decided by public vote but the nominations will inform the judges’ selection.
- Business owners can enter the appropriate category.
- The nominations and business entries are used to create a long list for the judges’ consideration.
- The long list will be whittled down to a shortlist of three or four finalists for each category.
- Judging visits and tastings take place before the winners are selected.
More than 160 finalists, sponsors and special guests will attend the awards presentation 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.
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
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
Cumbrian Food Hero
Sponsored by Caterite
