Northamptonshire’s thriving food and drink sector has taken a significant step towards its annual celebration, as the finalists are announced in six of the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards’ most hotly contested categories.
From skilled student chefs and emerging young talents to established culinary professionals and artisan producers, this year’s shortlist underscores the depth of flair, creativity and ambition coursing through the county’s gastronomic scene.
A total of 18 entries have been named as finalists in the artisan product categories – a collection of locally crafted food and drink items that exemplify quality, innovation and authenticity. The ‘artisan’ designation reflects small-batch production and traditional techniques, with this year’s cohort highlighting the continued evolution of Northamptonshire’s food heritage.
Rachel Mallows MBE DL, Awards Director, said: “Each year we uncover new talent, and the standard in this year’s categories is outstanding. These finalists represent the passion, originality and flavour that define Northamptonshire’s food and drink identity – and the inclusion of our college students shows how bright the future looks.”
Artisan Local Product of the Year (sponsored by Heygates Flour and Animal Feed Millers)
Betty’s Caribbean Fusion – Sweet Spicy Jerk Sausage Rolls
Choccies by Sara – The Limoncello
Daylight Veggie Patch – Sweet Tomato Chutney
Friars Farm – Traditional Brown Sauce
Jeyes of Earls Barton – Jeyes’s Northamptonshire Mustard
Your Cool – Rum & Raisin Ice Cream
Yummy Grains – Fruit & Nut Granola
Artisan Local Drink of the Year (sponsored by Wharf Distillery)
Bella Barista – Embankment Organic Coffee Beans
New Lodge Vineyard – Red Barron
Phipps NBC – From the Ashes
Revival Rum – Spiced Rum
Stonyfield Wine – English Quality Sparkling Wine White 2019
Artisan Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year
Cookie Babes – Vegan Choco-Nana Cookie
Dovely Bakery – Nonsausage Roll
Dovely Bakery – Ezekiel Loaf
Mill House – Pumpkin Spiced Cake
The Urban Dairy – Daventry Blue
Your Cool – Strawberry Daiquiri Sorbet
The awards also shine a spotlight on the next generation. Six students have been named finalists in the Food and Drink College Student of the Year category, supported by the University of Northampton. Recognised for their progress, creativity and dedication, they represent the emerging talent pipeline within the local hospitality sector.
College Student of the Year Finalists
Ruby Bailey – Northampton College
Inez Bartlette – Northampton College
Tegan Chettle – Tresham College
Bella McCue – Northampton College
Livia Milnes – Moulton College
Ndumiso Mpofu – Tresham College
Meanwhile, the Booker Young Chef of the Year competition challenged rising culinary stars to recreate dishes inspired by the era of the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. Judged on creativity, technique and historical interpretation, the finalists impressed with both storytelling and execution.
Booker Young Chef of the Year Finalists
Edward Early – The Palmichael
Ben Leonard – The Four Pears
Harvey Tapp – The Palmichael
Dylan Warren – Restaurant Ember
The spotlight then turned to the county’s top professional chefs, with a live cook-off hosted at Tresham College. Sponsored by Greedy Gordons, the contest saw six chefs deliver seafood-led menus that demonstrated technical precision and culinary vision.
Chef of the Year Finalists
Perry Burford – The Tollemache Arms
Deniz George Gultes – Whittlebury Park Hotel & Spa
William Mountain – Saracens Head, Little Brington
David Smith – The Four Pears, Little Houghton
John Young – The Red Lion, Thornby
Lee White – The Olde Three Cocks, Brigstock
“This competition continues to celebrate the exceptional chefs who define our local hospitality scene,” said Richard Gordon of Greedy Gordons. “Their skill and passion will be rightly recognised at the awards evening in October.”
Winners across all six categories will be unveiled at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards ceremony on 16 October 2025 at The Royal & Derngate Theatre. The event is once again supported by Portfolio Events, national winners in catering excellence.
Award Categories for 2025/26 Include:
Artisan Local Product of the Year (Heygates Flour and Animal Feed Millers)
Artisan Local Drink of the Year (Wharf Distillery)
Artisan Local Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year
Booker Gastro Pub of the Year (Booker)
Booker Young Chef of the Year (Booker)
Canapé Competition (Portfolio Events)
Chef of the Year (Greedy Gordons)
Community Café of the Year (West Northamptonshire Council Public Health)
Farming Environment Award (Weetabix)
Food and Drink College Student of the Year (University of Northampton)
Healthy Food and Wellbeing Award (Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust)
Local Food Hero of the Year (Howes Percival)
One to Watch (Whitworth Bros. Ltd Flour Millers)
Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink (All Things Business)
Restaurant of the Year (Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment Limited)
Weetabix Sustainability Award (Weetabix)
World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year (British Pepper & Spice Co. Ltd)
For further details, including entry and nomination information, visit
www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk, email awards@northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk or call 01933 664437.
Follow the Awards on Facebook (@foodawards), Instagram and X (@foodawardsHQ) or LinkedIn (@weetabixnfadawards).
