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 in 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.
He added: “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 and said: “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.
He said: “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 were vital.
He said: “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.
