The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards is a true celebration of what the county has to offer – and the fifteenth annual ceremony was no exception.
Hundreds gathered at the Royal & Derngate on Wednesday evening (November 1) and the spirit was high from start to finish.
After scooping the top spot in their award categories, the gold winners took the time to speak to this newspaper.
Here is what they all had to say moments after learning of their newest prestigious accolades – and it is fair to say everyone was more than pleased.
. The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2023
After scooping the top spot in their award categories, the gold winners took the time to speak to this newspaper. Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Artisan Local Drink of the Year – Club 80: Navy Strength London Dry Gin by Silverstone Distillery
Distillery director Joe Mayhew, who was joined by fellow director Steve Hancock, said: “We’re thoroughly pleased for it. The club range has been a culmination of many, many months of hard work, design and testing. It’s been an incredibly popular brand and this is a great award to win. Being recognised for something like this is truly fantastic. We feel like we’ve got imposter syndrome. There’s some great producers out there, venues, chefs, restaurants and it’s really nice to be rubbing shoulders with like-minded individuals. We’re very pleased to be here.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Artisan Local Product of the Year – Coffee Ice Cream by Your Cool
Business owner Jo Rutherford told this newspaper: “It’s such a fantastic evening. It’s really lovely to be here and to actually be winning a gold award is fantastic. This is a relatively new career for me. I only started making ice cream professionally about three years ago – so to have people who know their stuff saying that it’s nice is great. It’s really lovely meeting some new people, from places I’ve heard of but haven’t necessarily spoken to the people there. There’s a lovely atmosphere in there tonight.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Artisan Local Vegan/Vegetarian Product of the Year – Strawberry & Rose Cake by the Mill House at the Old Stableyard Tearoom
Emily Armstrong, who runs both the Mill House and the Old Stableyard Tearoom shared her excitement: “It feels amazing – nerve-racking but incredible. It’s a great achievement for my business and I’m really pleased. It just sets in stone how hard it is, and how important it is for me that I didn’t give up. With everything the Mill House has been through as a whole, to actually win an award now and be seen for what I do is incredible. I hope we get better and better. It’s absolutely amazing to be part of such a great community of different people in food.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Local Food Hero – Rick Sharpe, The Roaming Artisan
“We tour Northants with a pop up shop showcasing all the great produce,” said Rick. “It’s great, it’s a bit of a surprise. We do a lot of work in the local community and showcase a lot of produce, but it’s great to see people recognise that and want to support us.” Rick added that the award win makes the 5am bakery runs worth it. Having toured the county with the pop up shop, Rick said: “There’s some great producers around and it’s great to put my name in the hat.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Community Cafe of the Year – Bennett’s
Steve Bennett said: “We’re thrilled. It’s absolutely fantastic. Community is the key to our business. We’ve been supported by the community all through Covid and we try and give to them, and they give to us. It couldn’t be a more appropriate award really. I’ve got the best staff I could ask for. They work so hard, they’re always attentive to everybody’s needs. We’re very lucky.” Talking about being gathered with so many others from the industry, Steve added: “It’s a room full of some really fantastic products and people. All of the awards are just fantastic.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Food & Drink College Student of the Year – Cohen O’Dell, Northampton College
We did not get the opportunity to catch up with Cohen O’Dell from Northampton College, but be sure to head over to the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards’ social media channels to find out how he felt about his award win. Congratulations Cohen. Photo: Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards
. Outstanding Contribution to Food and Drink Northamptonshire – Jo and Nigel Wagstaff from Houghton Hams
After winning the first of the surprise awards of the evening, Nigel said: “The most important thing is we’ve been in business for 40 years and we have won a few awards, but some of those have been national. To win something within the county that represents 40 years of growing a business, involving the family, supporting various charities and sports clubs – it’s a culmination of the whole thing. It gives us a nice feeling.” Jo added: “We try very hard to encompass local people, our family and a general ethos of support for everybody – and producing good product. It’s nice to be part of the local community and to feel appreciated.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
. Weetabix Sustainability Award – Sol Laug Haven
Founder Natasha Caton said: “You have no idea how hard we have worked to get this far. It’s not just us working, it’s a community garden – so it’s all the volunteers and the rest of the team behind the scenes that make this happen for us.” Fellow founder Sammuel Yisrael added: “It’s so amazing to be recognised for sustainability. We were in the same category as some really big companies and we weren’t expecting to win. We want to be able to share our story and inspire other people to live a sustainable life and know they can make a difference. It starts with one step – big dreams are achievable, just one step at a time.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
1. Artisan Local Drink of the Year – Club 80: Navy Strength London Dry Gin by Silverstone Distillery
Distillery director Joe Mayhew, who was joined by fellow director Steve Hancock, said: “We’re thoroughly pleased for it. The club range has been a culmination of many, many months of hard work, design and testing. It’s been an incredibly popular brand and this is a great award to win. Being recognised for something like this is truly fantastic. We feel like we’ve got imposter syndrome. There’s some great producers out there, venues, chefs, restaurants and it’s really nice to be rubbing shoulders with like-minded individuals. We’re very pleased to be here.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
2. Artisan Local Product of the Year – Coffee Ice Cream by Your Cool
Business owner Jo Rutherford told this newspaper: “It’s such a fantastic evening. It’s really lovely to be here and to actually be winning a gold award is fantastic. This is a relatively new career for me. I only started making ice cream professionally about three years ago – so to have people who know their stuff saying that it’s nice is great. It’s really lovely meeting some new people, from places I’ve heard of but haven’t necessarily spoken to the people there. There’s a lovely atmosphere in there tonight.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
3. Artisan Local Vegan/Vegetarian Product of the Year – Strawberry & Rose Cake by the Mill House at the Old Stableyard Tearoom
Emily Armstrong, who runs both the Mill House and the Old Stableyard Tearoom shared her excitement: “It feels amazing – nerve-racking but incredible. It’s a great achievement for my business and I’m really pleased. It just sets in stone how hard it is, and how important it is for me that I didn’t give up. With everything the Mill House has been through as a whole, to actually win an award now and be seen for what I do is incredible. I hope we get better and better. It’s absolutely amazing to be part of such a great community of different people in food.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds
4. Local Food Hero – Rick Sharpe, The Roaming Artisan
“We tour Northants with a pop up shop showcasing all the great produce,” said Rick. “It’s great, it’s a bit of a surprise. We do a lot of work in the local community and showcase a lot of produce, but it’s great to see people recognise that and want to support us.” Rick added that the award win makes the 5am bakery runs worth it. Having toured the county with the pop up shop, Rick said: “There’s some great producers around and it’s great to put my name in the hat.” Photo: Kirsty Edmonds