Cumbria Food Awards 2026 winners
the 2026 awards took place at Kendal College on Thursday, 12 March 2026
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year
Lovingly Artisan
Finalists:
Caldbeck Village Store
J&J Graham, Penrith
Lovingly Artisan, Kendal
Category Sponsored by
Hawkshead Relish
Food Producer of the Year
Mr Vikki's
Finalists:
Bells of Lazonby, near Penrith
Mr Vikki’s, Penrith
Northern Pasta, Kendal
Category Sponsored by
Booths
Drinks Producer of the Year
Witherslack Orchards
Finalists:
Crooked River Brewing Company, Workington
Pennington’s Spirits, Kendal
Witherslack Orchards, near Grange-over-Sands
Category Sponsored by
Grapevine
Sustainable Business of the Year
Lovingly Artisan
Finalists:
Lakes Brew Co, Kendal
Lovingly Artisan, Kendal and Burneside
Our Farm, Cartmel
Category Sponsored by
Reeds
New Business of the Year
The Secret Table
Finalists:
Cartmel Old Grammar
Stable Coffee, Kendal
The Secret Table, Underscar
Category Sponsored by
Thomson Hayton Winkley
Café of the Year
Harry's Yew Tree Barn
Finalists:
Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton
Homeground, Windermere
Levens Kitchen, Levens near Kendal
Yonder, Keswick
Category Sponsored by
Cumbria Crack
Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year
Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza
Finalists:
Dosa Chaska, Whitehaven
Khao Keang, Carlisle
Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza, Barrow-in-Furness
Category Sponsored by
Plain Creative
Pub, bar or taproom of the Year
Crown and Thistle
Finalists:
Crooked River Tap, Keswick
Crown and Thistle, Rockcliffe
The Factory Tap, Kendal
Category Sponsored by
Herdwick Cottages
Service of the Year
Joel Pennington
Finalists:
Claire McClintock, Whytes Kitchen
Joel Pennington, The Cottage in the Wood
Margaret Stobbart, Dixons Rooftop Cafe
Category Sponsored by
Academy by Simon Rogan
Casual dining venue of the Year
Bar eS
Finalists:
Bar eS Tapas, Keswick
Billy’s Barr and Restaurant, Hawkshead
La Casita, Penrith
Category Sponsored by
Business Finance Cumbria
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year
The Schelly
Finalists:
Horse and Farrier, Dacre
Helm at The Oak, Curthwaite
The Schelly, Ambleside
Category Sponsored by
Lamont Pridmore
Chef of the Year
Jack Bond
Finalists:
Jack Bond, The Cottage in the Wood
James Cross, Lake Road Kitchen
Scott Fairweather, Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn
Category Sponsored by
Westmorland Farmshop
Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year
Forest Side and L'Enclume
Finalists:
Forest Side, Grasmere
L’Enclume, Cartmel
The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick
Category Sponsored by
More? The Artisan Bakery
The Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Heroes
Ian Bradley and Susan Bradley
Category Sponsored by
Caterite
Cumbria Food Awards 2025 Winners
the 2025 awards took place at Kendal College on Thursday, 20 March 2025
Specialist Retailer of the Year
The Meat Hook
Finalists:
Basecamp North Lakes, Penrith
Roast Mutton, Kendal
The Meat Hook, Sedbergh
Category Sponsored by
Hawkshead Relish
Food Producer of the Year
The Pie Mill
Finalists:
Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil, Plumpton
The Pie Mill, Threlkeld
The Toffee Shop, Penrith
Category Sponsored by
Booths
Drinks Producer of the Year
Lakes Brew Co
Finalists:
Crooked River Brewing Co, Workington
Lakes Brew Co, Kendal
The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite
Category Sponsored by
Grapevine
Pub, bar or taproom of the Year
Lake District Wine
Finalists:
The Hare &Hounds Inn, Bowland Bridge
Lake District Wine, Keswick
West WallsBrewing Co,Carlisle
Category Sponsored by
Herdwick Cottages
Service of the Year
Stacey Lee Raath
Finalists:
Craig Blackburn, Old Stamp House
Peter King, The Yan
Stacey Lee Raath, Ramble
Category Sponsored by
Academy by Simon Rogan
New Business of the Year
The Schelly
Finalists:
Billy’s Barr and Restaurant, Hawkshead
Cloud Nine Kitchen,Dalton-in-Furness
The Schelly, Ambleside
Category Sponsored by
Thomson Hayton Winkley
Sustainable business of the Year
Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy
Finalists:
Basecamp North Lakes, Penrith
Our Farm, Cartmel
Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy, Torpenhow
Category Sponsored by
Porsche Centre South Lakes
Café of the Year
Mathilde's
Finalists:
Industry Kitchen, Barrow
Mathilde’s, Grasmere
Whytes Café Bar, Carlisle
Category Sponsored by
Cumbria Crack
Casual dining venue of the Year
Barua Street Food
Finalists:
Barua Street Food, Keswick
Ramble,Kendal
The Round, Keswick
Category Sponsored by Business Finance Cumbria (formerly Enterprise Answers)
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year
The Oak
Finalists:
George and Dragon, Clifton
Mizu Pan Asian Restaurant, Borrowdale
The Black Bull, Sedbergh
The Oak, Curthwaite
Category Sponsored by
Lamont Pridmore
Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year
Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza
Finalists:
British Raj, Kendal
Fish Express, Kendal
Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza, Barrow
Category Sponsored by
Cranstons
Chef of the Year
Paul Leonard
Finalists:
Jack Bond, The Cottage in the Wood
Scott Fairweather, Harry’s at Yew Tree Barn
Paul Leonard, The Forest Side
Category Sponsored by
Westmorland Farmshop
Acclaimed Restaurant of the Year
Rogan & Co
Finalists:
Farlam Hall,Brampton
Rogan & Co, Cartmel
The Forest Side, Grasmere
Category Sponsored by
More? The Artisan Bakery
Cumbria Food Awards 2024 Winners
The 2024 awards took place at Kendal College on Thursday, 14 March 2024
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year 2024
Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall
Finalists:
A Day’s Walk
Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall
Grasmere Gingerbread
Sponsored by
Hawkshead Relish
Drinks Producer of the Year 2024
Fell Brewery
Finalists:
Fell Brewery
Great Corby Brewhouse
Penningtons Tea & Coffee
Sponsored by
Grapevine
Food Producer of the Year 2024
Lovingly Artisan
Finalists:
Lovingly Artisan
The Wagtail Kitchen
Wild and Fruitful
Sponsored by
Cranstons
Pub, Bar or Tap Room of the Year 2024
The Drover's Rest
Finalists:
5 O’clock Somewhere
Ambleside Tap Yard
The Drover’s Rest
Sponsored by
Herdwick Cottages
Service of the Year 2024
Tom Kilshaw
Finalists:
Ross Bell, Pentonbridge Inn
Tom Kilshaw, Levens Kitchen
Alice Mullin, 5 O’clock Somewhere
Sponsored by
Academy by Simon Rogan
New Business of the Year 2024
Northern Wine
Finalists:
Force Café
Northern Wine
Three Hills Gelato
Sponsored by
Thomson Hayton Winkley
Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year 2024
Shed One
Finalists:
Roast Mutton
Shed One
The Yan at Broadrayne
Sponsored by
Onunda
Cafe of the Year 2024
Homeground
Finalists:
Homeground
Levens Kitchen
The Lingholm Kitchen
Sponsored by
Cumbria Crack
Casual Dining Venue of the Year 2024
The Yan at Broadrayne
Finalists:
Fellpack
Peace & Loaf
The Yan at Broadrayne
Sponsored by
Enterprise Answers
Dining Pub of the Year 2024
Heft
Finalists:
George & Dragon
Heft
The Black Swan
Sponsored by
Lamont Pridmore
The Rising Star Award 2024
Kim Khaengrit
Sponsored by
Kendal College
Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2024
The Forest Side
Finalists:
SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
The Forest Side
The Samling
Sponsored by
Stagecoach
Restaurant of the Year 2024
Rogan & Co
Finalists:
1863
Pentonbridge Inn
Rogan & Co
Sponsored by
More? The Artisan Bakery
Chef of the Year 2024
Paul Leonard
Finalists:
Chris Archer, Pentonbridge Inn
Ollie Bridgwater, SOURCE
Paul Leonard, The Forest Side
Sponsored by
Spinning Jennies
Outstanding Contribution 2024
Peter Gott
Sponsored by
Caterite
Cumbria Food Awards 2023 Winners
the 2023 awards took place at Kendal College on Thursday, 16 March 2023
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year 2023
Roast Mutton
Finalists:
Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall
Roast Mutton
Tebay Services
Sponsored by
Hawkshead Relish
Drinks Producer of the Year 2023
Red Bank Coffee
Finalists:
Lakes Brew Co
Red Bank Coffee Roasters
Shed 1 Gin
Sponsored by
Cranstons
Food Producer of the Year 2023
Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy
Finalists:
Cumbrian Baker
Eden Valley Meat Co
Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy
Sponsored by
H&H Group PLC
Pub, Bar or Tap Room of the Year 2023
The Royal Barn
Finalists:
The Blind Bus Driver
The Dalesman Country Inn
The Royal Barn
Sponsored by
The Factory Tap
Pop-up or Street Food Seller of the Year 2023
Sweet Treats by Martin Frickel
Finalists:
Sweet Treats by Martin Frickel
Thai Kitchen in Lakeland
Urban Wood Fire
Sponsored by
Taste Hospitality Recruitment
New Business of the Year 2023
Northern Pasta
Finalists:
Northern Pasta
Rebel Gelato
Temperly Chocolates
Sponsored by
Thomson Hayton Winkley
Sustainable/Ethical Business of the Year 2023
Our Farm
Finalists:
A Day’s Walk
Our Farm
The Yan At Broadrayne
Sponsored by
Eco-I North West
The Inspiring Cumbria Award 2023
Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil
Sponsored by
Eden District Council
Cafe of the Year 2023
Industry Kitchen
Finalists:
Homeground
Industry Kitchen
Method
Sponsored by
Cumbria Crack
Casual Dining Venue of the Year 2023
The Yan at Broadrayne
Finalists:
Comida
Fellpack
The Yan at Broadrayne
Sponsored by
Grapevine
Dining Pub of the Year 2023
Heft
Finalists:
Heft
The Black Bull
The Dog & Gun
Sponsored by
Lamont Pridmore
The Rising Star Award 2023
Niall Frith
Sponsored by
Kendal College
Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2023
Allium
Finalists:
Allium
Rothay Manor
The Forest Side
Sponsored by
Shortridge
Restaurant of the Year 2023
L'Enclume
Finalists:
1863
L’Enclume
Rogan & Co
Sponsored by
More? The Artisan Bakery
Chef of the Year 2023
Paul Leonard
Finalists:
Paul Burgalieres
Paul Leonard
Nina Matsunaga
Sponsored by
Spinning Jennies
Outstanding Contribution 2023
Patrick Moore
Sponsored by
Caterite
Cumbria Food Awards 2022 Winners
the 2022 awards took place at Kendal College on Thursday, 3 March 2022
Food Producer of the Year 2022
Lovingly Artisan
Finalists:
Lovingly Artisan
Stonehouse Smokery
Winter Tarn Dairy
Sponsored by
H&H Group Plc
Drinks Producer of the Year 2022
Lakes Brew Co
Finalists:
Eva’s Organics
Lakes Brew Co
Shed 1 Gin
Sponsored by
Cranstons
Specialist Food Retailer of the Year 2022
Tebay Services
Finalists:
Cranstons Cumbrian Foodhall
Low Sizergh Barn
Tebay Services
Sponsored by
Hawkshead Relish
Street Food Seller of the Year 2022
Yard 46
Finalists:
Food From The Fells
Urban Wood Fire
Yard 46
Sponsored by
Lakes Cottages
Pub, Bar or Tap Room of the Year 2022
The Factory Tap
Finalists:
Fell Bar
The Factory Tap
The New Union
Sponsored by
L+M Events
Eco Business Innovator of the Year 2022
Lakeland Brewhouse
Sponsored by
Eco-I North West
Casual Dining Venue of the Year 2022
The Yan at Broadrayne
Finalists:
Bakehouse Born & Bread
The Old Bank
The Yan at Broadrayne
Sponsored by
Lakeland Vinters
Newcomer of the Year 2022
Heft
Finalists:
Bassenthwaite Lake Station
Heft
Roast Mutton
Sponsored by
The Westmorland Family
Cafe of the Year 2022
Harry's Cafe
Finalists:
Harry’s Cafe
More? The Artisan Bakery
The Chopping Block
Sponsored by
Cumbria Crack
Dining Pub of the Year 2022
The Black Swan
Finalists:
Heft
The Black Swan
The Dog & Gun Inn
Sponsored by
Lamont Pridmore
Innovation of the Year 2022
Home By Simon Rogan
Finalists:
Eden Yard Rapeseed Oil
Home By Simon Rogan
Sweet Treats By Martin Frickel
Sponsored by
Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors
The Rising Star Award 2022
Katherine Altham
Sponsored by
Kendal College
Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2022
Henrock
Finalists:
Henrock
Rothay Manor
The Forest Side
Sponsored by
Shortridge
Chef of the Year 2022
Tom Barnes
Finalists:
Tom Barnes
Paul Leonard
Daniel McGeorge
Sponsored by
Lakeland Inns
Restaurant of the Year 2022
The Cottage in the Wood
Finalists:
L’Enclume
Lounge on the Green
The Cottage in the Wood
Sponsored by
More? The Artisan Bakery
Outstanding Contribution 2022
Simon Rogan
Sponsored by
Caterite