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

Judges have been busy throughout September meeting finalists in the remaining categories of the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards 2024/25: F&B Achiever; Weetabix Sustainability Award and One to Watch. The Farming Environment Award is also announced.

Shortlisting has taken place, and finalists have been given the good news that their incredible hard work has been recognised. Finalists in all categories are outlined below.

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

Finalists for the Farming Environment Award are:

Johnny Wake, Courteenhall Estate

Stuart Tabernor, F R W Farrington & Son

William Green, George Green (Bozeat) Ltd

Jim Beaty, Wold Farm

For the F&B Achiever Award, judges have met finalists who make a significant contribution to the sector locally. Joseph Skinner, Partner, J Sweeney Accountants is category sponsor and was hugely impressed with this year’s entrants, saying:

“The F&B Achiever Award is not just about recognising excellence; it’s about celebrating the passion, dedication, and the creativity of those that drive the industry, and Northamptonshire, forward. Every finalist is a story of hard work and dreams. This year more so than ever, the judging process was incredibly tight. We are incredibly proud to be involved, and of all the entrants and finalists”

Finalists for F&B Achiever are:

Luke Bavester, The Old Red Lion Kislingbury & The Sheaf Inn, West Haddon

Lawrence Conisbee, Wharf Distillery

John Evans, Towcester Mill Brewery

John Lashley, Brooklyn Brownie

Phil Saxby, Saxbys Cider

Headline sponsor, Weetabix, sponsors the Weetabix Sustainability Award. Here judges are looking for individuals and businesses who are leading the way for sustainability in Northamptonshire.

Finalists for the Weetabix Sustainability Award are:

Blue Skies Holdings Ltd

Incredible Bakery Company

Jute Coffee

SNVB Community Larders

Waterloo Cottage Farm

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

Kim Osborn, Technical Accounts Manager commented:

“Whitworth Bros are absolutely thrilled to be sponsoring the One To Watch category again and hosting the judging at our site in Wellingborough.  This year was a very difficult year in terms of choosing the Gold winner, especially when we were told they couldn’t all be Gold!  I was so impressed with the finalists: their enthusiasm for the sector, their passion for their product or place and their vision for the future.  One To Watch becomes watch this space!”

Finalists for One to Watch are:

The Althorp Coaching Inn

Bad Butler Hospitality

The Farm Kitchen Bakery and School

Northampton Cheese Company

Vaha Lounge

The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards shine a spotlight on local culinary excellence. Recognising and celebrating the county’s brilliant people, places and producers, the Awards fly the flag for buying and supporting local.

Results, which will again see finalists awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze, will be announced at the Awards celebrations taking place on 17 October 2024 at The Royal & Derngate Theatre, supported again by caterers Portfolio Events.

For more details on all the categories in the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2024/25, 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