This year’s Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards celebrated the brightest stars of the county’s culinary scene. Winners across 18 categories took centre stage at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, showcasing exceptional talent, ambition and creativity.
Stuart Branch, People, Digital, Environment, Health & Safety Director at Weetabix, praised the winners for their outstanding contributions to Northamptonshire’s thriving food and drink sector during an evening celebrating resilience, innovation, sustainability and the finest local people and produce.
“Weetabix is proud to once again be the headline sponsor of these awards,” said Stuart. “We’re especially pleased to see sustainability featured so prominently across every category – an ethos that’s truly embedded in our DNA. This commitment remains as strong today as ever, and it’s wonderful to see Rachel and the team share our values, making our sponsorship and connection with the incredible people of this county even more meaningful.
“We appreciate the dedication and hard work that has gone into each day leading up to this celebration, we know that it’s the daily focus on doing the right thing that really makes the difference. Congratulations to all who achieved Gold, Silver, and Bronze – and to those who didn’t, please know that the judging process was exceptionally challenging. Your innovation, and passion are truly commendable, and we salute you.”
Leigh Baker, Catering Director at Booker, added: “At Booker, we’re incredibly proud to support these awards and to celebrate the outstanding talent, passion and innovation that define the local food and drink industry. From farm to fork, we know how much dedication goes into creating quality, sustainable produce, and it’s fantastic that this is being recognised through these awards.”
Neil Fyfe, Managing Director at Whitworth Bros, said: “Whitworth Bros. are proud, once again, to support the One to Watch award. Like all the categories, the finalists were fabulous, making our job as judges even harder, and the winners are ones you should definitely be watching out for.”
Awards Director Rachel Mallows reflected on the importance of backing our local producers and hospitality venues, especially in challenging times.
She said: “Northamptonshire’s food and drink scene is a true community effort – from independent cafés and artisan producers to family-run farms and larger local partners. Together, they create experiences that connect people, celebrate creativity, and keep our county buzzing with flavour and innovation.
“This year, more than ever, we want to recognise the dedication and talent of those working in hospitality, and encourage everyone to continue championing the incredible work they do every day. So, did we find our food and drink stars – the answer is yes, and we can’t wait to celebrate all they bring to Northamptonshire.”
The menu for the evening, created and served by Portfolio Events, included some exceptional examples of Northamptonshire produce, including Betty’s Caribbean Fusion Jerk Sauce, New Lodge Vineyard Red Baron Wine, Stonyfield Wine English Sparkling Wine, White 2019, Bella Barista Embankment Coffee and The Limoncello Choccies by Sara.
Celebrating a Gold win in the Artisan Local Product of the Year category for Jeyes’s Northamptonshire Mustard, Georgina Jeyes, from Jeyes of Earls Barton added: “It’s been such a fantastic year commemorating the Great Fire of Northampton – and the mustard just seemed to fit the bill perfectly.”
After collecting a Gold award in the Artisan Local Drink of the Year category, Johnny Howes, Managing Director at Phipps NBC said: “Winning Gold with From the Ashes, brewed to commemorate the Great Fire of Northampton, is amazing for a heritage brewery, especially among such brilliant finalists.”
For more information about the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2025/26 and how to get involved in 2026/2027, please visit the official website.
The winners
Artisan Local Drink of the Year, sponsored by Wharf Distillery
Gold – From the Ashes, Phipps NBC
Silver – Stonyfield English Quality Sparkling Wine White 2019
Bronze – Embankment Organic Coffee Beans, Bella Barista
Highly Commended – Red Baron, New Lodge Vineyard
Highly Commended – Revival Rum, Spiced Rum, Revival Rum
Artisan Local Product of the Year, sponsored by Heygates Flour & Animal Feed Millers
Gold – Jeyes’s Northamptonshire Mustard, Jeyes of Earls Barton
Silver – Rum & Raisin Ice Cream, Your Cool
Bronze – The Limoncello, Choccies by Sara
Highly Commended – Sweet Spicy Jerk Sausage Rolls, Betty’s Caribbean Fusion
Highly Commended – Sweet Tomato Chutney, Daylight Veggie Patch
Highly Commended – Traditional Brown Sauce, Friars Farm
Highly Commended – Fruit & Nut Granola, Yummy Grains
Artisan Local Vegetarian/Vegan Product of the Year
Gold – Nonsausage Roll, Dovely Bakery
Silver – Daventry Blue, The Urban Dairy Ltd
Bronze – Pumpkin Spiced Cake, Mill House
Highly Commended – Dovely’s Ezekiel Loaf
Highly Commended – Cookie Babes Vegan Choco-Nana Cookie
Highly Commended – Strawberry Daiquiri Sorbet, Your Cool
Booker Gastro Pub of the Year, sponsored by Booker
Gold – The Rose & Crown, Yardley Hastings
Silver – The Sheaf Inn, West Haddon
Silver – The Tollemache Arms, Harrington
Bronze – The Fours Pears, Little Houghton
Bronze – The Kings Arms, Polebrook
Commended – The Brampton Halt, Chapel Brampton
Commended – The Bulls Head, Clipston
Commended – The Red Lion, Thornby
Commended – The Olde Three Cocks, Brigstock
Commended – The Kings Head, Spratton
Booker Young Chef of the Year, sponsored by Booker
Gold – Harvey Tapp, The Palmichael
Silver – Edward Early, The Palmichael
Silver – Dylan Thomas, Ember/The Four Pears
Bronze – Ben Leonard, The Four Pears
Chef of the Year, sponsored Greedy Gordons
Gold – Deniz Gultes, Whittlebury Park Hotel & Spa
Silver – William Mountain, Saracens Head, Little Brington
Bronze – John Young, The Red Lion, Thornby
Highly Commended – Perry Burford, formerly The Tollemache Arms, now The Saracens Head, Little Brington
Highly Commended – David Smith, The Four Pears, Little Houghton
Highly Commended – Lee White, The Olde Three Cocks, Brigstock
Canape of the Year, sponsored by Portfolio Events
GOLD – Tash Jardine, Northampton College
Community Café of the Year, sponsored by West Northamptonshire Council Public Health
Gold – Café Oak (Youth Works), Geddington
Silver – Bugbrooke Community Café, Bugbrooke
Silver – Whites Kitchen, Earls Barton
Bronze – Bob’s, Corby
Bronze – Saints Coffee, Northampton
Bronze – The Hut Café, Kettering
Farming Environment Award, sponsored by Weetabix
Gold – Pearson Gape Farming, Manor Farm
Silver – J.A. Knight & Sons, Walgrave Lodge Farm
Bronze – Bridge House Farm
Highly Commended – T.W Brown and Son
Highly Commended – Wold Farm
Highly Commended – R.I Reynolds, Hollow Farm
F&B Achiever of the Year, sponsored by J Sweeney Accountants
Gold – Simon & Sarah Singlehurst, New Lodge Farm, Bulwick
Silver – Emily Mee, Mee Blueberries
Bronze – Luke Wilson, Braybrooke Beer Co
Bronze – Dan Coshan, Tap & Kitchen
Bronze – Tom McManus, McManus Pubs
Food and Drink College Student of the Year, sponsored by University of Northampton
Gold – Bella McCue, Northampton College
Silver – Inez Bartlette, Northampton College
Bronze – Ndumiso Mpofu, Tresham College
Highly Commended – Tegan Chettle, Tresham College
Highly Commended – Ruby Bailey, Northampton College
Highly Commended – Livia Milnes, Moulton College
Healthy Food & Wellbeing, Workplace Award, sponsored by Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust
Gold – Igus UK Ltd
Silver – Northampton General Hospital
Bronze – Northampton High School
Healthy Food & Wellbeing, Innovative Producer Award, sponsored by Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust
Gold – Eat Curious
Silver – Salma Soulful
Highly Commended – Houghton Hams
Highly Commended – Betty’s Caribbean Fusion
Highly Commended – June Plum Jamaican Food
Local Food Hero of the Year, sponsored by Howes Percival
Gold – Milly Fyfe, No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents CIC
Silver – Sarah Yates, Sened Kitchen
Bronze – Claire Gurney – The Food Shack
Highly Commended – Nicola Walpole, Coeliac Specialist Dietician
Highly Commended – Kate Williams, Ground Work/Grow Cook Eat
One to Watch, sponsored by Whitworth Bros. Ltd Flour Millers
Gold – Vanessa Anderson, Indi Local
Gold – Ben Welch, Baker Benjy
Silver – Millie Pates, Millie’s Bakery Ltd
Bronze – Lee White, The Olde Three Cocks, Brigstock
Bronze – Nicola & Briony Folwell, The Folly, Towcester
Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink, sponsored by All Things Business
Chris Saul and Saul’s of Spratton
Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment Ltd
Gold – The Palmichael Restaurant, Burton Latimer
Silver – Nuovo, Northampton
Bronze – Ember, Wellingborough
Bronze – The Gallery at Escapade, Silverstone
Bronze – Staci’s Italian Restaurant, Rothwell
Weetabix Sustainability Award, sponsored by Weetabix
Gold – Ganders Goat
Silver – Northampton Town Football Club Community Trust
Bronze – Carbon Neutral Vending Ltd
Bronze – Tellus Mater
World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by British Pepper & Spice
Gold – Mooche Wala, Denton
Silver – The Raj, Kettering
Silver – Truva Lounge Cocktail Bar, Towcester
Bronze – Bodrum Turkish Cuisine, Burton Latimer
Bronze – Saffron Fine Dining, Brackley
Bronze – Taste of India, Rothwell
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