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Cumbria Food Awards took place at Kendal College on Thursday, 20 March 2025.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists.
The Cumbria Food Awards 2025 took place on Thursday 20 March at Kendal College.
TV presenter and chef Matt Tebbutt hosted the much-anticipated event and announced the winners across categories including Café of the Year, Chef of the Year, Food Producer of the Year and Service of the Year, plus a number of special awards.
Students at Kendal College cooked and serve canapés and dinner to more than 150 finalists, sponsors and special guests.
The independent awards, in association with Caterite, were launched in 2022 to recognise and reward excellence in the food and drink sector in Cumbria.
They are judged by a panel of industry experts who consider both business entries and nominations from members of the public when making their decisions.
The 2025 awards attracted more than 1,000 entries and public nominations.
The winners were announced on Thursday 20 March at Kendal College.
The TV chef and Hairy Biker Dave Myers said the county’s food and drink stars are “simply the best” as he hosted the first Cumbria Food Awards 2022.
Dave was at Kendal College for the event when some of the county’s best-known chefs, restaurateurs and business owners were recognised.
He told the audience that as a proud Cumbrian, it was brilliant to be part of so much success. Achievements such as Michelin stars fed down to the whole industry, including producers.
“In Cumbria, the world is already our cockle,” he joked. “I love being part of this, I’m proud to be the Cumbrian bloke who cooks on the telly.”
He added that he’d been “overwhelmed personally” to be back in the county and to see how the industry had developed and achieved global significance.
– Jay Rayner, The Observer’s restaurant critic and a feature writer
Hospitality is one of the main sources of income for the Lake District economy. And with past students working for celebrity chefs in Michelin starred kitchens, Kendal College’s Hospitality & Catering department really does create brighter futures.
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