Outstanding chefs, restaurants, pubs, cafés, producers and takeaways from across the county have been shortlisted for the 2026 Cumbria Food Awards ceremony.
The 40 finalists will be invited to the gala awards evening at Kendal College, where they will be in the room with the host, TV presenter Chris Bavin, judges, sponsors and special guests.
The annual independent awards, set up to recognise and reward excellence in the hospitality sector in Cumbria, are now in their fifth year.
Held in association with headline sponsor Caterite, they are free to enter and judged by a panel of industry experts.
Hundreds of business entries and public nominations were received and considered by the judges.
Finalists come from all parts of the county, with Keswick, Penrith, Whitehaven, Carlisle, Kendal, Barrow-in-Furness, Windermere, Ambleside, Cartmel and Cumbrian villages represented on the shortlists.
Co-organiser Harry Atkinson said: “Every year, the outstanding standards across the county impress our judges.
“From cafés, to Michelin-starred restaurants, pubs to producers and chefs to front-of-house stars, Cumbria continues to lead the way.
“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to make a business entry or to put someone forward with a public nomination.
“In a challenging climate for the hospitality industry, it’s more important than ever to recognise and reward the excellence that’s baked into the sector in Cumbria.”
Chris Bavin, star of BBC’s Eat Well For Less? and Best Home Cook, will announce the winners in 13 competitive categories, plus three special awards.
The winners will be announced at the event at Kendal College on Thursday, March 12, where 165 guests will attend a networking reception.
Students from the college will cook and serve canapés and a two-course street food-style dinner.
Organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson, Cumbria Food Awards with Simon Rogan as the event’s patron.
Headline sponsor Caterite and Grapevine will provide the ingredients for the awards dinner and drinks served during the evening.
Booths will be providing the ingredients for the canapés.
The awards brochure and printed materials are kindly supplied by Reeds.
Head to the website here for more information.
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
Drinks Producer of the Year – Sponsored by Grapevine
- Crooked River Brewing Company, Workington
- Pennington’s Spirits, Kendal
- Witherslack Orchards, near Grange-over-Sands
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
Sustainable Business of the Year
- Lakes Brew Co, Kendal
- Lovingly Artisan, Kendal and Burneside
- Our Farm, Cartmel
Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year
- Dosa Chaska, Whitehaven
- Khao Keang, Carlisle
- Peace & Loaf Sourdough Pizza, Barrow-in-Furness
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- Horse and Farrier, Dacre
- Helm at The Oak, Curthwaite, near Carlisle
- The Schelly, Ambleside
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
Food Producer of the Year – Sponsored by Booths
- Bells of Lazonby, near Penrith
- Mr Vikki’s, Penrith
- Northern Pasta, Kendal
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
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
Café of the Year – Sponsored by Cumbria Crack
- Harry’s, Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton
- Homeground, Windermere
- Levens Kitchen, near Kendal
- Yonder, Keswick
Casual Dining Venue of the Year – Sponsored by Enterprise Answers
- Bar eS Tapas, Keswick
- Billy’s Bar and Restaurant, Hawkshead
- La Casita, Penrith
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
Special Awards (no shortlist required)
- 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
THE HERDWICK NEWS 