Completing this year’s Finalists Line Up for the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards

Throughout September, judges have been meeting finalists in the remaining categories of the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2026/27: Healthy Food & Wellbeing Workplace; Healthy Food Producers; F&B Achiever; Weetabix Sustainability Award; Weetabix Farming Environment Award; Local Food Hero and One to Watch.

Following the judging sessions, the shortlists are now confirmed, and finalists have received the exciting news that their innovation, commitment and significant contributions to the sector locally have been recognised.

We’re delighted to announce the finalists in all of the remaining categories, listed below.

The Farming Environment category (sponsored by Weetabix) recognises their growers who have taken action to reduce the environmental impact of growing wheat through carbon footprint reduction, promoting wildlife or regenerative agriculture. 

Finalists for the Farming Environment Award (sponsored by Weetabix) are:

Burton Fields, Hinckley

Bridge House Farms, Long Buckby

Walgrave Lodge Farm, Walgrave

Thornby Farms, Thornby

Hollow Farm, Toseland

The F&B Achiever Award celebrates the people whose hard work, ideas and commitment continue to make a mark on Northamptonshire’s food and drink scene. As part of the judging process, finalists have been sharing their stories, highlighting the breadth of talent across the county and the determination, creativity and passion that sit behind their success.

For category sponsor J Sweeney Accountants, the strength of this year’s entries has provided plenty to celebrate. Partner Joseph Skinner has seen first-hand the ambition and enthusiasm coming through from the finalists, as well as the contribution they are making to the wider industry and their local communities. Together, their stories reflect a sector that continues to evolve, innovate and look ahead.

Finalists for F&B Achiever (Sponsored J Sweeney Accountants) are:

Jack McEneaney, Althorp Coaching Inn

Tom McManus, McManus Pub Co

Rebecca Beveridge, New Lodge Vineyard

Joe Buckley, The Tollemache Arms

Headline sponsor Weetabix backs the Weetabix Sustainability Award, where judges are seeking out individuals and businesses who are leading the way in sustainability across Northamptonshire.

Finalists for the Weetabix Sustainability Award are:

Craig Bosworth, Jute Coffee Ltd

Olivia Barham, Bella Barista

Jennifer O'Riley, Windmill Orchards

Richard Gordon and Sonya Harvey, Greedy Gordons

Daniel Harley, The Phoenix Resource Centre

The Healthy Food & Wellbeing Workplace category recognises local businesses that are putting the health and wellbeing of their teams at the heart of their workplace culture. This year’s finalists have showcased a fantastic range of initiatives, and their entries demonstrate the care and commitment being invested in workplace wellbeing across Northamptonshire, while offering plenty of ideas and inspiration along the way.

Finalists in the Healthy Food & Wellbeing Workplace category (Sponsored by the Wellbeing Service, West Northamptonshire Council) are:

Carlsberg Britvic

Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd

Northampton General Hospital

Wellingborough School

The Healthy Food Producers category recognises local businesses developing food products that support healthier choices, with products lower in fat, salt and sugars and designed to be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Finalists in the Healthy Food Producers category (Sponsored by Delapre Abbey and Eat Curious) are:

Fruit & Nut Granola, Yummy Grains

Tomato & Mixed Pepper Chutney, Daylight Veggie Patch

Houghton Made Without Nitrites Ham, Houghton Hams Limited

Warm Spice Granola, Daily Bread

The Local Food Hero category celebrates people who go above and beyond for their community, making a meaningful difference to those around them and demonstrating the generosity, commitment and spirit of a true local hero.

Matthew Talbot, Partner, Howes Percival LLP, commented: “Howes Percival LLP, Northamptonshire’s leading law firm, is delighted to be category sponsor in the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards for the eighth year. The quality and variety of finalists in every category gets stronger year on year, and the county should be proud of what it has to offer in the food and drink sector. It holds its own amongst any of the counties in the UK.”

Finalists in the Local Food Hero category (sponsored by Howes Percival) are:

Lorraine Hirst, Grow Cook Eat

Richard Gordon & Sonya Harvey, The Red Lion, Cranford

Thomas White, Origin Farm Shop

Danny Webster, The Olde Fire Station, Brackley

The final category to be announced is the One to Watch category, sponsored by Whitworth Bros. 

Kim Osborn, Group Baking Expert, judged the One to Watch category on behalf of Whitworth Bros, who is once again sponsoring the award and commented:

"Whitworth Bros is proud to be sponsoring the One to Watch category once again. Each year we are inspired by the calibre of talent coming through our industry, and this year's finalists have certainly lived up to expectations. Selecting a winner is never easy, as every finalist has demonstrated exceptional commitment, enthusiasm and potential for the future. Their passion for the sector is truly encouraging to see, and they should all be proud of what they have achieved. Congratulations on reaching the final, and we wish every finalist the very best of luck."

Finalists in the One to Watch category (sponsored by Whitworth Bros) are:

Lee White, The Olde Three Cocks, Brigstock

Mark Rodgers, The Cheese Place (Cheese on Towcest), Towcester

Louise Ely, Bakeworks Co., Thrapston

Mary Mcgrath, Wild Grain & Co, Corby

Emmi Shaw, Bella Cucina at Burton Latimer

Matt Skidmore, Althorp Coaching Inn, Great Brington

The free-to-enter categories in this year’s Awards (with their respective sponsors) are:

Artisan Local Drink of the Year (Warner’s Distillery Ltd)

Artisan Local Product of the Year (Heygates Flour and Animal Feed Millers)

Artisan Local Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year (SEGRO) 

Booker Gastro Pub of the Year (Booker)

Booker Young Chef of the Year (Booker)

Canapé competition (Portfolio Events)

Community Café of the Year (raising awareness for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Kindred2)

Farming Environment Award (Weetabix)

F&B Achiever of the Year (J Sweeney Accountants)

Food and Drink College Student of the Year (University of Northampton)

Healthy Food Producers (Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust and Eat Curious) 

Healthy Food and Wellbeing Workplace (Wellbeing Service, West Northamptonshire Council)

Local Food Hero of the Year (Howes Percival)

One to Watch (Whitworth Bros. Flour Millers)

Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink (All Things Business) 

Restaurant of the Year (Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment Limited) 

Rising Star Award (West Northamptonshire Council)

Weetabix Sustainability Award (Weetabix)

Chef of the Year (Northampton College)

World Cuisine Restaurant of the Year (British Pepper & Spice Co. Ltd)

The results of the competition, which will again see finalists awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze, will be announced at the Awards celebrations taking place on 15 October 2026 at The Royal & Derngate Theatre, supported again by national catering awards winners Portfolio Events.