The final countdown to the 2026 Cumbria Food Awards has begun.
The much-anticipated annual event takes place next Thursday, 12 March, at Kendal College with TV presenter Chris Bavin doing the honours as host.
The awards, held in association with Caterite, are dedicated to recognising and rewarding excellence in the county’s food and drink industry. Fully independent, they are judged by a panel of 15 industry experts.
Chris Bavin, star of the BBC’s Eat Well For Less? and Best Home Cook, will announce the winners of 13 competitive categories, plus three special awards, in front of an audience of 165 finalists, sponsors, judges and special guests.
Chef of the Year, Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year, Café of the Year, Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year, Food Producer of the Year and Service of the Year are among the trophies in contention.
The three special awards are Rising Star, the new Growing Strong Award, sponsored by Associate Sponsor The Cumberland and the top award for The Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Hero, sponsored by Caterite.
Guests will be welcomed with a drinks and canapés reception and a street food-style dinner will be served. Students from the college will prepare, cook and serve all the food under the guidance of head of faculty Richard Axford and the hospitality chef-lecturer team.
Co-organiser Michaela Robinson-Tate said: “The 2026 Cumbria Food Awards have been months in the planning and everything is now in place for a wonderful night.
“Harry Atkinson and I would like to thank Caterite and all our sponsors for backing the event again and making it possible to put on such an exciting evening. We can’t wait to welcome all our finalists and celebrate with them.”
Organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson, Cumbria Food Awards media partner is the breaking news website Cumbria Crack and Simon Rogan is the event’s patron. Headline sponsor Caterite and Grapevine provide the ingredients for the awards dinner and drinks served during the evening. Booths provide the ingredients for the canapés. The awards brochure and printed materials are kindly supplied by sponsor Reeds, linen is by Shortridge and Linthwaite House, part of the Leeu Collection, is accommodating the awards host.
Cumbria Food Awards 2026 Finalists
Specialist Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Hawkshead Relish
Caldbeck Village Store, near Wigton
J&J Graham, Penrith
Lovingly Artisan, Kendal and Burneside
Food Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Booths
Bells of Lazonby, near Penrith
Mr Vikki’s, Penrith
Northern Pasta, Kendal
Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Grapevine
Crooked River Brewing Company, Workington
Pennington’s Spirits, Kendal
Witherslack Orchards, near Grange-over-Sands
Pub, Bar or Taproom of the Year
Sponsored by Herdwick Cottages
Crooked River Tap, Keswick
Crown and Thistle, Rockcliffe, near Carlisle
The Factory Tap, Kendal
Service of the Year
Sponsored by Academy by Simon Rogan
Claire McClintock, Whytes Café Bar, Carlisle
Joel Pennington, The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick
Margaret Stobbart, Dixons Rooftop Café, Whitehaven
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley Solicitors
Cartmel Old Grammar
Stable Coffee, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere
The Secret Table, Underscar, near Keswick
Sustainable Business of the Year
Sponsored by Reeds
Lakes Brew Co, Kendal
Lovingly Artisan, Kendal and Burneside
Our Farm, Cartmel
Café of the Year
Sponsored by Cumbria Crack
Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton
Homeground, Windermere
Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
Yonder, Keswick
Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year
Sponsored by Plain Creative
Dosa Chaska, Whitehaven
Khao Keang, Carlisle
Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza, Barrow-in-Furness
Casual Dining Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Business Finance Cumbria
Bar eS Tapas, Keswick
Billy’s Bar and Restaurant, Hawkshead
La Casita, Penrith
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
Horse and Farrier, Dacre
Helm at The Oak, Curthwaite, near Carlisle
The Schelly, Ambleside
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Westmorland Farmshop
Jack Bond, The Cottage in the Wood
James Cross, Lake Road Kitchen
Scott Fairweather, Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn
Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by More? The Artisan Bakery
L’Enclume, Cartmel
The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick
The Forest Side, Grasmere
Special awards to be announced on the night
The Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Kendal College
The Growing Strong Award
Sponsored by The Cumberland
Outstanding Contribution
Sponsored by Caterite