04 Aug Northamptonshire’s Food and Drink Stars Shine Bright

Northamptonshire is brimming with anticipation as the finalists are revealed for the highly-coveted College Student, Young Chef, Chef, Artisan Local Product, Artisan Vegetarian / Vegan, and Artisan Local Drink categories in this year’s Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards.

Eighteen of the county’s standout creations have risen to the top, earning their place in the spotlight as they compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze in the artisan categories this year. These finalists represent the true stars of the local food and drink scene – celebrated for their exceptional taste, creativity, and commitment to craftsmanship.

The ‘Artisan’ label highlights products crafted in small batches, often by hand or using traditional techniques, and this year’s contenders reflect a surge of fresh talent and exciting innovation.

Rachel Mallows MBE DL, Awards Director, commented: “This year, we’re discovering new stars of Northamptonshire’s food and drink scene and announcing these six category finalists is very exciting as they reflect passion, originality, and outstanding flavours served up by our local producers and chefs. Along with our college student stars of the future this is what make this county a true centre of culinary excellence.”

Finalists for the Artisan categories are:

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 – Stonyfield English Quality Sparkling Wine White 2019

Artisan Local Vegetarian / Vegan Product of the Year

Cookie Babes – Cookie Babes Vegan Choco-Nana Cookie

Dovely Bakery – Nonsausage Roll

Dovely Bakery – Dovely’s Ezekiel Loaf

Mill House – Pumpkin Spiced Cake

The Urban Dairy Ltd – Daventry Blue

Your Cool – Strawberry Daiquiri Sorbet

Rising stars of the county’s food and drink future have also been recognised in this year’s F&B College Student competition, sponsored and hosted by the University of Northampton. The category celebrates young people who demonstrate exceptional drive, creativity, and progress in their culinary and hospitality skills – emerging talents already distinguishing themselves as future industry leaders.

Finalists in the college competition are:
Ruby Bailey, Northampton College

Inez Bartlette, Northampton College

Tegan Chettle, Tresham College

Bella McCue, Northampton College

Livia Milnes, Moulton College

Ndumiso Mpofu, Tresham College

The rising stars of Northamptonshire’s culinary scene took centre stage at Northampton College in July, where the Booker Young Chef finalists were tasked with a unique challenge: to bring history to life by recreating a meal that could have graced the tables during the era of the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. Armed with a range of ingredients including venison, Jeyes’ Northamptonshire Mustard and local fruit, these talented students demonstrated impressive technical skill, inventiveness, and remarkable composure in the heat of competition. Judges were not only captivated by the artistry and precision on display but also inspired by the finalists’ unwavering professionalism and genuine passion for their craft. Every plate told a story of dedication and creativity, leaving no doubt that the future of Northamptonshire’s food and drink industry is in exceptionally capable hands.

The finalists in the Booker Young Chef of the Year are:

Edward Early, The Palmichael
Ben Leonard, The Four Pears
Harvey Tapp, The Palmichael
Dylan Warren, Restaurant Ember

The spotlight then shifted to the prestigious Chef of the Year cook off, held at Tresham College and sponsored by Greedy Gordons. Here, the finalists pulled out all the stops, wowing the judges with a seafood feast that showcased their flair, originality, and culinary mastery.

“This category celebrates the great chefs of the county, and it’s a privilege to support our talented colleagues in the sector,” said Richard Gordon. “We can’t wait to honour their achievements at the Awards Dinner in October.”

The finalists in the Chef of the Year 2025/26 are:

Perry Burford, The Tollemache Arms

Deniz George Gultes, Whittlebury Park Hotel & Spa

William Mountain, Saracens Head, Lt. Brington

David Smith, The Four Pears, Lt Houghton

John Young, The Red Lion, Thornby

Lee White, The Olde Three Cocks, Brigstock

The results of these six categories will be announced at the Awards celebrations taking place on 16 October 2025 at The Royal & Derngate Theatre, supported again by national catering awards winners Portfolio Events.

The free-to-enter categories in the 2025/26 Awards (with their respective sponsors) are:

Artisan Local Drink of the Year (Wharf Distillery)

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

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)

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

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 more details on all the categories in the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2025/26, including entry and nomination forms, please visit the Awards’ website – www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk – or call the Awards team on 01933 664437 or email awards@northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk
You can also follow the Awards on Facebook at @foodawards or X and Instagram at @foodawardsHQ or LinkedIn at @weetabixnfadawards