Kendal has long been known for its independent spirit — and nowhere is that more evident than in its food and drink scene. From artisan bakeries and producers to cafés, pubs and restaurants, our hometown continues to play a leading role in showcasing the very best of Cumbrian hospitality.
That strength is reflected in this year’s Cumbria Food Awards, where outstanding chefs, restaurants, pubs, cafés, producers and takeaways from across the county have been shortlisted — with several finalists proudly calling Kendal home!
Outstanding chefs, restaurants, pubs, cafés, producers and takeaways from across the county have been shortlisted for the Cumbria Food Awards.
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.
Chris, 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 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 several from our hometown Kendal alongside Keswick, Penrith, Whitehaven, Carlisle, 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.”
The winners will be announced at the event at Kendal College on Thursday 12 March 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 media partner is the breaking news website Cumbria Crack and Simon Rogan is 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.
See www.cumbriafoodawards.co.uk 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
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 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
