In an evening filled with inspiration, innovation and delicious local food and drink, the winners have been crowned in all 19 categories of this year’s Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards.
Brilliant businesses, exceptional ambition, enviable talent and creativity were all on the menu at the awards ceremony at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, where Stuart Branch, People, Digital, Environment, Health & Safety Director for awards sponsor Weetabix, congratulated the winners for their remarkable contributions to the county’s growing food and drink sector.
Stuart said:
“Weetabix is delighted to headline sponsor these awards again, we are especially delighted that sustainability is such a strong element and is included in every category. We have said many times that sustainability is in our DNA at Weetabix, that remains true today and we know that Rachel and the team share our ethos, which makes our sponsorship and our connection with the brilliant people in this county even more special.
“We recognise the magnificent effort and hard work that has gone in every day to culminate in an awards ceremony such as this. Well done to all of you that achieved Gold, Silver and Bronze and to those that didn’t, thank you for making these decisions really hard to make–you are inspiring, innovative and creative and we salute you.”
Awards Director Rachel Mallows thanked guests for continuing to champion and support local.
She said:
“Good food and drink is a powerful force in creating vibrant, healthy, connected communities. And what a community we have here in Northamptonshire. Small businesses, supported by large businesses, farmers and artisans. The organisations in this room sustain local jobs, bring people and places together, and help us shine a spotlight on Northamptonshire Food and Drink.
“This year’s awards have culminated in 93 finalists and looking back since 2008/9 we have received over 15,000 nominations or entries, given out over 120,000 samples of finalist produce and drink at food festivals, and worked with nearly 1,000 first-stage mystery shoppers who have visited venues and eateries in that time. Thanks to you, the Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards are one of the most supported events in the county.”
The menu, served by Portfolio Events, included some wonderful examples of Northamptonshire produce including terrine of Houghton Ham; The Falcon Inn Guinness bread; British chicken with coppa by Northampton Charcuterie Co; Hamm Tun Fine Foods Shoetown Blue and wild mushroom risotto; vanilla panna cotta with Stonyfield English Quality Sparking Wine.
Guests were also treated to a performance by Northampton musician Billy Lockett, who also joined the winners on stage to present the Gold awards.
Joint Gold winners with the Hopping Hare in Northampton, the team from Hibiscus at Delapre Abbey were thrilled to take home the Gold Restaurant of the Year accolade.
Executive Head Chef Bart Polinski said:
“Over 70% of our produce is local. That wouldn’t be possible without these wonderful awards and the people in this room. We are so grateful to be working with you all, and for this incredible award, and look forward to exploring many more opportunities together.”
One such supplier to Hibiscus is Gary Bradshaw of Hamm Tun Fine Foods, winner of the Artisan Local Product category for Northamptonshire Blue cheese. Gary said:
“Even when they announced it, I was convinced I hadn’t won. It’s been a tough year but things like this make it all worthwhile. I’m a very happy man this evening”.
Also jubilant was Joe Gould, Head Chef, Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, who said:
“I’m so surprised to have won Whitco Chef of the Year because the competition really was fierce. I feel proud to now ‘officially’ be part of the Northamptonshire Food and Drink scene.”
THE WINNERS…
Artisan Local Drink of the Year
Sponsored by Warner’s Distillery
GOLD – Blackberry, Rhubarb & Cardamom Gin Liqueur, The Food Library
SILVER – Earls Baron Saxon 2023, New Lodge Vineyard
BRONZE – Wild & Furrow Oat Drink, Wild & Furrow
Artisan Local Product of the Year
Sponsored by Heygates Flour & Animal Feed Millers
GOLD – Northamptonshire Blue, Hamm Tun Fine Foods
SILVER – Moorgate Farm Turkey and Leek Pie, Moorgate Farm
BRONZE – New Lodge Vineyard Marmalade with Honey, Made by the Beekeeper
BRONZE – Raspberry & Blackberry Jam, The Jam Queen
Artisan Local Vegetarian/Vegan Product of the Year
Sponsored by Daily Bread Co-operative
GOLD – Chilli, Shallot & Coriander Jelly, The Jam Queen
SILVER – Pecan & Caramel Cake, Sophisticake Creations
SILVER – Lemon Dairy-free ‘Ice Cream’ with a Blueberry Swirl, Your Cool
BRONZE – Shoetown Blue, Hamm Tun Fine Foods
BRONZE – Tongue Taster, Northampton Cheese Company Ltd
BRONZE – Artisan Nettle and Walnut Soda Bread, The Loving Chef
Booker Gastro Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Booker
GOLD – Althorp Coaching Inn, Great Brington
GOLD – The George, Great Oxenden
BRONZE – The Countryman, Staverton
BRONZE – The Kings Arms, Polebrook
Booker Young Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Booker
GOLD – Levi Moukam, The Falcon Inn, Fotheringhay
SILVER – Dylan Warren, The Four Pears
BRONZE – Joe Thornton, Nuovo
Canape of the Year
Sponsored by Portfolio Events
GOLD – Oscar Plomer, Tresham College
Community Café of the Year
Sponsored by Public Health in West Northants Council
GOLD – Woodford Halse Community Café
SILVER – Saints Coffee, Northampton
BRONZE – Whites Kitchen, Earls Barton
Farming Environment Award
Sponsored by Weetabix
GOLD – FRW Farrington & Son, Bottom Farm, Hargrave
F&B Achiever of the Year
Sponsored by J Sweeney Accountants
GOLD – Luke Bavester, The Sheaf Inn and The Olde Red Lion
SILVER – John Lashley, Brooklyn Brownie
SILVER – Laurence Connisbee, Wharf Distillery
BRONZE – John Evans, Towcester Mill Brewery
BRONZE – Phil Saxby, Saxby’s Cider
Food and Drink College Student of the Year
Sponsored by University of Northampton
GOLD – Chloe Smith, Moulton College
SILVER – Dumitru Poroseci, Northampton College
SILVER – Oscar Plomer, Tresham College
Showcasing Healthy Food Produced in Northamptonshire
Sponsored by Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust
GOLD – Classic Cuisine
Healthy Food and Wellbeing Award (Workplace)
Sponsored by Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust
GOLD – Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd
SILVER – Silverstone Circuits Ltd
SILVER – Northampton General Hospital
Local Food Hero of the Year
Sponsored by Howes Percival
GOLD – Jo West, Veggie Patch, Daylight Centre
SILVER – Katie Steele and Ian Angus, SNVB Community Larders
BRONZE – Steve Reid, Friars Farm
One to Watch
Sponsored by Whitworth Bros. Ltd.
GOLD – Northampton Cheese Company Ltd
SILVER – The Farm Kitchen Bakery and School
SILVER – Bad Butler Hospitality
BRONZE – Vaha Lounge
BRONZE – The Althorp Coaching Inn
Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink Northamptonshire
Sponsored by All Things Business
Georgina Jeyes – Jeyes of Earls Barton
Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Greedy Gordons
GOLD – Hibiscus Fine Dining, Northampton
GOLD – The Hopping Hare, Duston
SILVER – Nuovo, Northampton
SILVER – The Falcon, Castle Ashby
BRONZE – Restaurant Ember, Wellingborough
BRONZE – The Cedar Restaurant, at Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa
Weetabix Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Weetabix
GOLD – Blue Skies
SILVER – Waterloo Cottage Farm
SILVER – Jute Coffee
BRONZE – SNVB Community Larders
BRONZE – Incredible Bakery Company
Whitco Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Whitco
GOLD – Joe Gould, Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, Fawsley
SILVER – Ambroise Dupont, The Falcon, Castle Ashby
BRONZE – Zak Perrin, The Falcon Inn, Fotheringhay
World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by British Pepper & Spice
GOLD – The Tamarind Restaurant, Northampton
GOLD – Mexican Fire Garden Ltd, Kettering
SILVER – Alacati Grill, Daventry
SILVER – Saffron Fine Indian Dining, Brackley
BRONZE – Sakura Sushi Ltd, Northampton
BRONZE – Moghul Rooms, Towcester
Keep up to date with the latest awards news on social media: Facebook @foodawards, LinkedIn @weetabixnfadaward X and Instagram @foodawardsHQ
For a full list of winners and more information about the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2024/25 and how to get involved in 2025/2026, visit the website.
