The very best of Cumbria’s food, drink and hospitality businesses will be recognised in a new countywide awards event.
Cumbria Food Awards 2022 will celebrate everything that’s excellent about the industry in a county renowned for its restaurants, producers and food scene.
The food and drink sector is hugely important to the county’s economy, generating hundreds of millions of pounds each year and employing thousands of people.
The independent event is intended to give the industry a lift at a time when businesses are struggling with a double whammy of trading restrictions and recruitment problems.
The awards will culminate in a sparkling presentation evening to be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Kendal College, one of the UK’s leading providers of hospitality training.
Students will cook a three-course dinner for the awards finalists, guests and some of the county’s best known chefs and industry leaders, before the winners are announced.
Richard Axford, Kendal College’s head of faculty for leisure and service industries, oversees training for 60 hospitality students and 30 apprentices each year.
Hospitality industry doing an ‘exceptional job’
He said: “We want to support the Cumbria Food Awards because it’s a really exciting proposal and something we think is very relevant to the Cumbrian food and drink industry.
“There are some exceptional places to eat and drink in Cumbria and these awards are about highlighting the people who are doing an exceptional job.”
The awards are supported by independent grocer Booths, which has generously agreed to provide the food for the event dinner.
Booths head of trading and marketing John Gill said: “Booths are delighted to support the Cumbria Food Awards.
“Now more than ever, people who work hard to make and grow exceptional food and drink need to be supported and celebrated.
“Food plays a pivotal role in all our lives and we’re delighted to help recognise the brilliant efforts of chefs, producers, growers and makers across Cumbria.”
Cumbria Crack joins forces with Cumbria Food Awards
The media partner for the awards is Cumbria Crack – we will be the place to go for the latest awards announcements.
John Holliday, managing director of Barrnon Media, the home of Cumbria Crack, Cumberland & Westmorland Herald and the Keswick Reminder, said: “Cumbria is the food capital of the country – outside of London.
“We believe the awards will provide restaurants, chefs and everyone involved in the industry with a welcome boost during what’s been an incredible last 16 months.
“Our team at Cumbria Crack and Barrnon Media is delighted to be associated with the Cumbria Food Awards.
“We want to celebrate the achievements of the hospitality sector, which continues to offer customers and diners an amazing experience and I’m confident our content will reflect that.”
The awards will be judged by an independent panel from Cumbria and the north, chosen for their expertise and knowledge. Categories will cover restaurants, chefs, cafés and food and drink producers.
The independent awards are organised by designer Lindsay Molloy and journalist Michaela Robinson-Tate, who have more than a decade’s experience of producing and co-ordinating awards events in Cumbria.
Business owners, restaurateurs and individuals can enter themselves for the awards and the public can nominate their favourite places to eat and drink.
Entries will open in the autumn.
Sponsorship inquiries can be made to hello@cumbriafoodawards.co.uk
