At a time when the food and drink sector is facing significant challenges, the enthusiasm and ambition of young people in Northamptonshire are providing a welcome sense of hope and confidence for the future.
From aspiring chefs developing their craft to young hospitality professionals taking their first steps in their careers, these individuals are already making a real difference in businesses across the county.
Their passion, creativity and willingness to learn are helping to shape the sector today, while offering a reminder that there is a new generation of people ready to build rewarding careers in food and drink.
The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards have always celebrated the people who make the county’s food and drink scene special, and this year the spotlight has been extended to recognise more of those beginning and building their careers in the industry.
Alongside the established Booker Young Chef of the Year, F&B College Student and Canapé of the Year awards, the awards team has introduced a new category: the Rising Star of Food & Drink award, sponsored by West Northamptonshire Council.
The new category recognises employees aged between 16 and 25 who are bringing enthusiasm and fresh ideas to their workplaces.
It celebrates young people across the sector, from kitchen teams and front-of-house roles to apprentices, those in their first jobs and employees working in food and drink production.
The award was created to recognise those already making a valuable contribution within their teams and demonstrating the qualities needed to build long and rewarding careers in the industry.
Awards Director Rachel Mallows MBE DL said: “Northamptonshire’s food and drink sector is full of talented young people who bring energy, ideas and dedication to their workplaces every day.
“This category is about celebrating the young people who are already making a difference in their workplaces and giving them the encouragement and recognition they deserve.”
The judges were struck by the people they met during the first year of the new Rising Star category. From those beginning their careers to those already taking on responsibility, the nominees demonstrated confidence and a real commitment to the industry.
Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Meeting the nominees for the Young Rising Star Award was genuinely inspiring. What stood out most was not only the quality of the young people we met, but their maturity, enthusiasm and commitment to developing themselves and supporting their teams.
“Coming from a wide range of roles and backgrounds, they all shared the same confidence, ambition and passion for the industry. Their enthusiasm and fresh ideas were a real source of encouragement, giving us every reason to feel positive about the future and the continued success of Northamptonshire’s food and drink sector.”
Joanne White, General Manager, Delta Hotel Northampton added: “It was a real privilege to be invited to help judge the Young Rising Star Award. Recognising and celebrating emerging talent is so important, particularly in hospitality and the wider food and drink industry, where passionate people at the start of their careers are already making a significant impact.
“I was impressed by the calibre of the finalists. The standard was exceptionally high, and the diversity of businesses and roles represented made the judging process incredibly difficult.
“Every candidate demonstrated enthusiasm, professionalism and a real commitment to their craft, which was brilliant to see. It was an honour to play a small part in recognising their achievements, and it gives me great confidence in the future of our industry.”
Creating opportunities for young people to learn and progress is key to building a strong food and drink industry and across Northamptonshire, employers and education providers are now working more closely than ever to support those pathways.
A new Food and Drink Skills Hub, created through a partnership between Northampton College, Moulton College, the University of Northampton and The Bedford College Group, is helping businesses access training, apprenticeships and workforce support more easily.
The initiative provides employers with a single route into further and higher education, helping them recruit, develop and retain people while creating clearer pathways into food and drink careers.
The Rising Star and Booker Young Chef of the Year awards show what those opportunities can lead to – recognising young people who are developing their skills and making a positive contribution to the workplaces around them.
For businesses across Northamptonshire, these young people bring fresh perspectives, as well as enthusiasm and a willingness to grow – qualities that strengthen teams and make a difference every day.
While hospitality and food businesses continue to navigate challenges, the achievements of these young people provide a welcome reason to feel positive.
They are learning, creating and contributing today – proving that Northamptonshire’s food and drink sector has much to celebrate and look forward to.
For more information about the Food and Drink Skills Hub contact Rachel Mallows on rachel@themallowscompany.com
For more information, visit the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards website.
