The final countdown to the 2026 Cumbria Food Awards has begun.
The much-anticipated annual event takes place next Thursday, March 12, 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 and Harry, Cumbria Food Awards media partner is us, 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
- Cartmel Old Grammar
- Stable Coffee, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere
- The Secret Table, Underscar, near Keswick
Sustainable Business of the Year
- 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
- Dosa Chaska, Whitehaven
- Khao Keang, Carlisle
- Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza, Barrow-in-Furness
Casual Dining Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Enterprise Answers
- 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 (no shortlist)
- Growing Strong Award – Sponsored by The Cumberland
- The Rising Star – Sponsored by Kendal College
- The Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Hero – Sponsored by Caterite
