Cumbria’s food, drink and hospitality scene continues to thrive, and the Cumbria Food Awards 2026 are set to showcase the very best of it on 12 March 2026 at Kendal College.

As one of the region’s most trusted legal partners, Thomson Hayton Winkley & The Rural Law Practice are proud to support this year’s event as the official sponsor of the New Business of the Year category.

With the Awards now in their fifth year, the ceremony remains one of the most anticipated celebrations in the Cumbrian calendar, shining a light on the businesses, makers and teams who help drive our local economy forward.

What makes the Cumbria Food Awards so important for new Cumbrian businesses?

The Cumbria Food Awards are independent, free to enter, and judged by a respected panel of industry experts, rather than by public vote.

Businesses across the county, from cafés and bakeries to distillers, producers and restaurants, are recognised not only for quality but also for their contribution to Cumbria’s wider food ecosystem.

With over 1,000 entries and nominations received in 2025, the level of competition continues to rise, highlighting the strength and ambition of Cumbrian businesses. For new ventures, being shortlisted places them firmly on the map and provides invaluable momentum as they continue to grow.

Why is supporting local hospitality and food businesses so essential?

Cumbria’s hospitality sector is a cornerstone of both the local economy and the identity of the Lake District.

Producers, chefs, farmers, bakers, café owners and artisans attract visitors from across the UK and beyond and their success strengthens local supply chains, jobs and rural economic diversification.

These are communities and industries we’ve supported for generations, through specialist legal expertise across tourism, hospitality, farming and rural business. Supporting the Cumbria Food Awards is a natural continuation of that commitment.

Why we’re sponsoring New Business of the Year

We chose to sponsor New Business of the Year because it reflects the part of the community we work with every day.

Many of our clients begin life as small family enterprises or ambitious start‑ups. We help them put strong legal foundations in place, from commercial leases and licensing to business structures, employment matters and succession planning, so they can grow with confidence, clarity, and conviction.

This category celebrates exactly that moment: when ideas turn into trading businesses, teams form, and early decisions shape the future. By sponsoring this award, we’re backing the next generation of food and hospitality leaders who are investing in Cumbria’s places, products and people.

Who are the 2026 finalists for New Business of the Year?

This year’s finalists represent the innovation, creativity and community centric approach that defines this vital category:

• Cartmel Old Grammar – Reviving heritage and local identity in a contemporary food and hospitality setting.
• Stable Coffee – A growing artisan coffee brand contributing fresh energy to Cumbria’s café culture.
• The Secret Table – An exciting new hospitality concept capturing the attention of diners across the region.

Each demonstrates the ambition and early impact the award recognises and celebrates

Looking Ahead to Awards Night

The 2026 ceremony will be hosted by TV presenter Chris Bavin, known for Eat Well For Less? and Best Home Cook. A total of 165 guests, including finalists, sponsors and industry leaders, will gather to celebrate the best of Cumbria’s food scene.

Students from Kendal College will prepare canapés and a street‑food style dinner, giving a platform to the next generation of local Cumbrian culinary talent.

Proud to Support Cumbria’s Future

At Thomson Hayton Winkley, we’re honoured to stand alongside the people and businesses who make our region’s food and hospitality sector exceptional.

We wish all the 2026 finalists, and especially the new businesses taking their first big step into the spotlight, the very best of luck on awards night.

Find out more about the Cumbria Food Awards here.

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