The county’s only dedicated food and drink awards are to return for a fifth year, with TV star Chris Bavin at the helm.

The team behind the Cumbria Food Awards, held in association with Caterite, has announced the 2026 event will take place at Kendal College next March.

TV presenter and fresh produce expert Chris Bavin, known for programmes including Britain’s Best Home Cook and Eat Well For Less? will host the awards and present trophies in 13 competitive categories, for the best chefs, cafés, restaurants, pubs and producers, plus the top award for the Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Hero.

The independent and much-anticipated awards, which attracted more than 1,000 entries and nominations in 2025, are free to enter and judged by an independent panel of 15 industry experts.

Chris, who lives near Windsor with his wife, Millie and their three children, said he was looking forward to returning to Cumbria, where he has appeared at Westmorland County Show: “It’s a fantastic part of the world with an amazing food scene and I’m delighted to do it.”

He promises to bring high energy and excitement: “I feed off the crowd on the day. I don’t just go through the motions – I empathise with and appreciate everything that’s involved in running a similar business.”

Chris, who formerly owned an award-winning shop, The Naked Grocer in Surrey, continues to operate a fresh produce business alongside his media career. 

His background means he appreciates the importance of all parts of the food and drink chain which are recognised by the awards: “We need it all – great chefs, great ingredients, great venues, great customers, I think it’s symbiotically linked.” 

Chris said that winning an industry award helped start his TV career and that events such as Cumbria Food Awards are vital: “It can make such a difference because then you’ve got something to shout about and the media have got a reason to talk to you.

“We’re all wrapped up in our own worlds, especially when you’re running a business, so these sorts of awards are really great.”

Chris has been on our screens for more than a decade, first appearing on the BBC’s Eat Well For Less?, which he presented for eight series.

He has also presented Tomorrow’s Food, The Truth About Meat, Food: Truth or Scare and Shop Well for the Planet.

He was a judge and the resident fruit and veg expert on three series of BBC’s Best Home Cook and was part of the presenting team on Channel 4’s Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

He can also be seen on BBC’s The One Show.

The author of books Good Food Sorted and Fakeaway is a regular star at food festivals and live events.

Launched in 2022 to recognise and celebrate excellence in the county’s hospitality industry, Cumbria Food Awards are held in association with headline sponsor Caterite, based at Embleton near Cockermouth. 

The business supplies the best ingredients and produce to chefs at more than 800 hospitality businesses across the North of England and South West Scotland, working directly with producers and growers.

Managing director Lorcan Byrne said: “We are very proud to have been headline sponsors for the Cumbria Food Awards since their launch. 

“The awards play a vital role in shining a light on the leading chefs, producers, restaurateurs and hospitality stars who do so much to put Cumbria on the national map as a food and drink destination.

“We’re looking forward to hearing about this year’s entrants, finalists and winners and celebrating with them next March.”

Categories include Café of the Year, Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Service of the Year and Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year.

There are a number of special awards, including a new category, the Growing Strong Award, to recognise a business which has demonstrated substantial development over the previous 12 months.

The award is backed by new associate sponsor, The Cumberland.

Head of commercial for The Cumberland Scott McKerracher said: “We are delighted to be celebrating food and drink businesses across Cumbria as an associate sponsor of the Cumbria Food and Drink Awards.

“This year, The Cumberland marks 175 years of serving its community and we see the awards as a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the best of the best food and drink businesses in the county, those that help make Cumbria what is it. 

“Our commercial team is committed to providing a kinder banking experience for businesses in Cumbria, across the food and drink sector.

“The businesses who choose to work with us benefit from a relationship-managed service; our aim is to develop a close relationship with them and add value to their business.”

The awards are returning to Kendal College, one of the country’s leading providers of hospitality training. Students will cook and serve canapés and dinner for 165 finalists, sponsors and guests.

Category sponsors are: Academy by Simon Rogan; Booths; Enterprise Answers; Grapevine; Hawkshead Relish; Herdwick Cottages; Lamont Pridmore; More? The Artisan Bakery; Thomson Hayton Winkley and Westmorland Farmshop.

Cumbria Food Awards are organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson.

Michaela said: “We can’t wait to get started on this year’s awards and we hope as many people as possible will enter their business or nominate their favourites.

“Chris Bavin will be bringing enthusiasm and excitement to the awards evening and it will be wonderful to celebrate with him, our finalists, winners and sponsors. 

“Our thanks go to Caterite, Kendal College, Cumbria Crack, The Cumberland, Booths and all our sponsors and supporters.”

Entries for the awards open in November. See www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk for details