The Cotswold Life Food and Drink Awards are returning for 2024 after a short hiatus to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of the food and drink industry. This year’s event is set to be a glittering, cork-popping celebration of the region’s food and drink superstars. The evening will be hosted by former Dynasty star and Hollywood actress, Emma Samms with former BBC newsreader, Simon McCoy at Hatherley Manor, set in the heart of the countryside on the outskirts of the historic city of Gloucester, on Monday, October 7. The awards, which began life in a small marquee at Beaufort Polo Club in the summer of 2002, will champion the fantastic food and drink businesses alongside the unsung heroes in our region. The wonderful team at Hatherley Manor will be serving a delicious 3-course supper with a cheese course and wine for all to enjoy.
Cotswold Life editor, Sharon Martin expressed the importance of recognising and honouring exceptional individuals and businesses in the food and drink industry: ‘We created these awards 22 years ago to recognise the exceptional people, places and producers in the food, drink and farming industries. From those early days, our aim was to support the farmers, the producers, the restauranteurs, the chefs, pubs, cafés, cake shops, delis, bakers and butchers in this incredible area, and we’re extraordinarily proud to still be doing so today. Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards has become one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated events in the region and it’s a privilege for me to be part of it this year.’
‘The awards serve as a symbol of appreciation for outstanding contributions despite the challenges faced by the sector over the last few years, we aim to highlight the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of those who have survived and thrive.'.
HEADLINE SPONSOR ANNOUNCED
Frank Smith & Co Solicitors, a law firm with specialist knowledge in advising landowning and farming families and those involved in the equestrian sector, are delighted to be selected as Headline Sponsor of the Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards 2024.
‘We are longstanding supporters of the awards and are especially pleased this year to be presenting the Farmer of the Year Award.’ Said Frank Smith, who founded the firm.
‘As a local firm based in the centre of Cheltenham, we have worked for a number of entrepreneurial businesses over the years and have assisted many owners of cafés and restaurant businesses set up their businesses. We have a special relationship with the farming and agricultural community, and we look forward to highlighting the important work of this sector. These awards will enable us to celebrate the variety of food and drink within the county as well as the entrepreneurial and leadership skills behind those companies and our farmers.’
The law firm based in the centre of Cheltenham, is a leading provider of legal services to individuals and business alike focussing on two main areas of law: Property and Private Client Services. Within their Property Department you will find lawyers with expertise in agricultural and rural property, residential property and commercial property. In the Private Client Department their lawyers deal with wills, trusts and probate matters as well as powers of attorney.
‘We are a firm with a friendly and supportive culture and offer a welcoming and personalised service to our clients. We are renown for providing our legal services in a private, personal and efficient manner. With many years’ experience in the legal sector, we are outstanding at understanding the needs of our clients and we work hard to meet the expectations and demands of a diverse and vibrant local economy. A huge thank you to Cotswold Life magazine for this recognition, we can’t wait to be part of this special event and provide its readers with further insights into our firm throughout the year.’ Said Frank. www.franksmithandco.com
The Nominations are in!
Judging is underway for the Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards
Nominations have closed and now comes the essential judging process...
As ever, it's going to be enjoyable but challenging for our judges as they come together to complete round one of judging, reviewing the entries following the five-point criteria.
So, thank you for taking the time to nominate in our 2024 Food & Drink Awards, good luck to all nominees!
Entries are now closed
The 2024 Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards categories
Pub of the Year
A Cotswold pub where the welcome is as outstanding as the beers, wines, ales and food on the menu.
![NFU Mutual Moreton-in-Marsh & Cheltenham]()
NFU Mutual Moreton-in-Marsh & Cheltenham (Image: NFU Mutual)
Sponsored by NFU Mutual Moreton-in-Marsh & Cheltenham
NFU Mutual was founded over 110 years ago to look after the insurance needs of the farming community. Their range of products includes car, home, farm and business insurance, and in addition, NFU Mutual offers advice on pensions, protection and investments, as well as services such as Inheritance Tax planning.
For more information, please contact their agency in Moreton-in-Marsh on 01608 651781 or Cheltenham on 01242 582038.
nfumutual.co.uk
Cafe, Coffee or Teashop of the Year
It’s a debate that will forever rumble, but this award will find the place that serves the best tea and coffee - as well as those all-important cakes and bakes.
Restaurant of the Year
This restaurant will offer an incomparable dining experience, everything from the ambiance to the service and most importantly the food. If you’re going to eat at one place in the region - this should be it.
Sponsored by Royal Agricultural University
The Royal Agricultural University prides itself on the links it has secured within the industry, and as such all courses are designed to meet the demands of the employment market for land-based expertise, both in the UK and worldwide.
Best Food Product or Producer
Whether a farmer/fruit and veg grower/manufacturer, this food hero will be a person devoted to their business and producing the very best food the Cotswolds has to offer.
A family-owned motorway services that celebrates the people and produce of Gloucestershire. They work with over 130 farmers, growers, butchers, bakers, potters, patisserie chefs, chocolatiers and cheesemakers, all within 30 miles.
Drinks Producer of the Year
Whether a gin-maker, vineyard, brewery or manufacturer, we are looking for a person devoted to their business and producing the very best drink products in the Cotswolds.
Chef of the Year
The Chef of the Year will be someone who has devoted themselves to serving the best food the region has to offer and has propelled the Cotswolds dining scene onto a national stage. They will display fantastic technical ability, use a wide range of seasonal ingredients, present food in a striking manner and have a deep understanding of flavour pairings.
Straight to the Sauce is an independent, boutique chef recruitment agency serving the restaurant and hotel market. Launched in 2015, with the intention of helping fellow chefs achieve their full potential by providing a boutique approach.
Outstanding Service Award
We are on the hunt for an outstanding level of service that makes for a truly enjoyable visit to the food and drink venue. A person whose achievements have helped put the Cotswolds firmly on the map as an innovative and dynamic place.
Sponsored by Wotton Auction Rooms
With heritage in the Cotswolds stretching back to the mid-19th century, Wotton Auction Rooms are award-winning auctioneers and valuers assisting clients across the wider antique and fine-art market throughout the Cotswolds and beyond.
Bakery of the Year
We want to hear about truly scrumptious cakes, bread and bakes being made and sold locally. Share your favourites.
Butcher of the Year
We are looking for a butcher who provides a diverse range of high-quality meat products as well as speciality items sourced from animals that have been reared in the Cotswolds by means of good animal husbandry. The butcher should also be able to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.
Food retailer of the Year
We’re interested in an imaginative initiative that’s changing the way good quality food and drink is being sourced and sold. It could be a wholesaler, website, farm shop or independent retailer that’s transforming your access to great local produce with an original idea.
Cotswold RAW is an independently owned family-run company, dedicated to making nutritious, wholesome meals for dogs. Their ingredients are at the heart of everything they do; using the highest-quality and sourcing locally whenever possible across their wide range of meals and treats, and so supporting local farming.
Farmer of the Year
The judges will be looking for traditional family farms which are clearly businesses, not just ways of life, and which have embraced the need for quality management and are also conscious of today’s requirements for conservation and diversification.
Sponsored by Frank Smith & Co Solicitors
Small Holder of the Year
We’re looking for someone who has developed a herd or crop showing attention to detail to animal welfare, environmental impact and the needs of the local community.
Sponsored by Malvern College and The Downs Malvern
Founded in 1865, Malvern College is one of England’s great independent schools, whose alumni have helped to shape the modern world of science, sport, literature and the arts for generations. They offer a strong academic focus, with an enrichment programme that stimulates intellectual curiosity and academic breadth beyond the confines of examination criteria. Their sister preparatory school is The Downs Malvern, who have been part of the Malvern College Family of Schools for over 15 years.
Outstanding Contribution Award
This category recognises an individual working within the Cotswold food and drink industry who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment. The Outstanding Contribution Award is not just a look back over a career, but also a look at the impact this person has had and is still having.
Wellness Interiorsis a Cotswold interior design studio that specialises in designing and creating sustainable homes that are inspired by the English countryside. Their ethos is grounded by a passion for health and wellbeing, with founder Sheron Ravi offering a personalised service, using environmentally friendly materials and methods to minimise environmental impact.
Click here to submit your nominations
What it means to win
The prestige and acclaim that comes with winning an award is immeasurable. Julie Gilborson, winner of 2022 Pub of the Year The Old Fox at Coaley told us: ‘We are delighted and proud as punch to be a winner in these prestigious awards. Our dedicated team offer hospitality at its very best every single day, and this recognition is a huge compliment to them and to our excellent suppliers and wonderful customers who all make our job a pleasure.’
PROGRAMME SPONSORS
Challinor Hitchcock Yoo and Root Group 
Challinor Hitchcock-Yoo
At Studio CHY areas of expertise include architecture, planning, urban design, and interior design so they have the skills and capabilities to meet all requirements from concept to completion. With services and costs tailored to give clients the best possible value and highest quality experience for projects undertaken.
Root Group
A family-run business. Root specialises in all aspects of bespoke builds from concept to construction. Offering the technical versatility and design expertise to approach any project, Root’s artisan craftsmanship ensures that every project pays testament to their client’s creative vision.
Interested in being a sponsor?
Several of our categories have already been sponsored by leading Cotswold businesses. If you would like to join them and are interested in sponsoring a category at this year's Cotswold Life Food and Drink Awards, please contact Stacey Hawkins on stacey.hawkins@localiq.co.uk
