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.
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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