Matt says don’t miss out on the Cumbria Food Awards
Chef and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt is urging Cumbrians to get behind the county’s food awards.
The star of BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen will be in Kendal next March to host the annual awards, held in association with Caterite.
Matt is urging food fans to make a nomination or entry: “There are lots of challenges in hospitality right now, so if you know of someone who deserves to win a Cumbria Food Awards trophy, why not make a nomination – or put in an entry for your own team – and give them a well-deserved boost.”
The presenter and author, who is a favourite guest chef at the Westmorland County Show Food Theatre, added: “I’m really looking forward to being back in Cumbria next March to host the food awards, see old friends and meet new people. Good luck everyone and see you soon.”
The fourth independent awards return to Kendal College, one of the county’s leading providers of hospitality training, on Thursday 20 March. Judged by an independent panel, the deadline for nominations and entries is Thursday 12 December.
Categories include Café of the Year, Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Service of the Year and Food Producer of the Year. A new category is for Take Away or Street Food Trader of the Year and there are a number of special awards.
The gala awards evening will include a canapés and drinks reception and two-course dinner – cooked and served by students at the college – for more than 160 finalists, sponsors and special guests.
Cumbria Food Awards are supported by headline sponsor Caterite, media partner Cumbria Crack, Kendal College, Booths, Patron Simon Rogan and our category sponsors below.
To enter, visit our entries page.
Cumbria Food Awards 2025 categories open for entries and nominations:
- Specialist Food Retailer of the Year sponsored by Hawkshead Relish
- Food Producer of the Year sponsored by Booths
- Drinks Producer of the Year sponsored by Grapevine
- Service of the Year sponsored by the Academy by Simon Rogan
- Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year sponsored by Herdwick Cottages
- Sustainable Business of the Year sponsored by Porsche Centre South Lakes
- 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
- Casual Dining Venue of the Year sponsored by Enterprise Answers
- Contemporary Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery
- Chef of the Year sponsored by Westmorland Farmshop
- 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