Outstanding chefs, restaurants, cafés, producers and retailers have been named as finalists for the Cumbria Food Awards 2024.
From Peace and Loaf Bakehouse in Barrow-in-Furness to Pentonbridge Inn on the English-Scottish border, the shortlists for the much-anticipated awards are drawn from across the county.
The independent Cumbria Food Awards, held in association with Caterite, take place on Thursday, 14 March at Kendal College and will be hosted by the chef, TV presenter and restaurateur, Simon Rimmer.
After attracting more than 1,400 business entries and public nominations, the independent panel of judges had a challenging task to decide on their shortlists in 13 competitive categories.
Co-organiser Michaela Robinson-Tate said: “In a county which has 13 Michelin stars across 11 places and some of the country’s best chefs, producers and restaurants, competition for the Cumbria Food Awards continues to be incredibly tough.
“Our 15-strong panel of judges, chosen for their experience and knowledge, debated their choices long and hard. All of the finalists can be incredibly proud of having made the shortlist.
“We’d like to thank every member of the public who took the time to make a nomination and every business owner who put themselves forward.”
This year, the Restaurant of the Year category will be contested by 1863 at Pooley Bridge, Pentonbridge Inn near Carlisle and Rogan & Co in Cartmel.
The finalists for Café of the Year are Homeground at Windermere; Levens Kitchen at Levens Hall near Kendal and The Lingholm Kitchen at Portinscale.
The Kendal bakery Lovingly Artisan; pie producer The Wagtail Kitchen, also in Kendal and the Maryport preserves maker Wild & Fruitful are in the running for Food Producer of the Year.
The Chef of the Year will be chosen from among Chris Archer of Pentonbridge Inn, Ollie Bridgwater, of SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House at Windermere and Paul Leonard at The Forest Side at Grasmere.
The Cumbria Food Awards reception, gala dinner and presentation will be attended by more than 150 finalists, sponsors and special guests. Kendal College students will cook and serve canapés and a two-course dinner before the host, Simon Rimmer, announces the winners.
In addition to headline sponsor Caterite, Cumbria Food Awards category sponsors are: Academy by Simon Rogan; Cranstons; Cumbria Crack; Enterprise Answers; Grapevine; Hawkshead Relish; Herdwick Cottages; Kendal College; Lamont Pridmore; More? The Artisan Bakery; Onunda; Spinning Jennies; Stagecoach and Thomson Hayton Winkley.
Cumbria Food Awards media partner is breaking news website Cumbria Crack. Northern grocer Booths is supplying the food for the networking reception and H&H Reeds is providing printing services.
Cumbria Food Awards 2024 Finalists
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Hawkshead Relish
A Day’s Walk, Cark-in-Cartmel and Ambleside
Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall, Penrith
Grasmere Gingerbread, Grasmere
Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Grapevine
Fell Brewery, Flookburgh
Great Corby Brewhouse, near Carlisle
Penningtons Tea & Coffee, Kendal
Food Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Cranstons
Lovingly Artisan, Kendal
The Wagtail Kitchen, Kendal
Wild & Fruitful, Maryport
Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year
Sponsored by Herdwick Cottages
5 O’clock Somewhere, Kendal
Ambleside Tap Yard
The Drover’s Rest, Monkhill, Burgh-by-Sands, Carlisle
Service of the Year
Sponsored by Academy by Simon Rogan
Ross Bell, Pentonbridge Inn, Penton near Carlisle
Tom Kilshaw, Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
Alice Mullin, 5 O’clock Somewhere, Kendal
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley Solicitors
Force Café, Ambleside
Northern Wine, Kendal
Three Hills Gelato, Torpenhow near Wigton
Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year
Sponsored by Onunda
Roast Mutton, Kendal
Shed One Gin, Ulverston
The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Café of the Year
Sponsored by Cumbria Crack
Homeground, Windermere
Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
The Lingholm Kitchen, Portinscale
Casual Dining Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Enterprise Answers
Fell Pack, Keswick
Peace and Loaf Bakehouse, Barrow-in-Furness
The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Dining Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
George & Dragon, Clifton near Penrith
Heft, High Newton
The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
Hotel Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Stagecoach
SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, near Windermere
The Forest Side, Grasmere
The Samling, Windermere
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Spinning Jennies
Chris Archer of Pentonbridge Inn, Penton near Carlisle
Ollie Bridgwater, SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House at Windermere
Paul Leonard, The Forest Side, Grasmere
Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery
1863, Pooley Bridge
Pentonbridge Inn, Penton near Carlisle
Rogan & Co, Cartmel
Special awards to be announced on the night
The Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Kendal College
Outstanding Contribution
Sponsored by Caterite