TV Chef Nisha Katona to Host Cumbria Food Awards 2027
Television chef and restaurateur Nisha Katona has been announced as the host of the 2027 Cumbria Food Awards, which will return to Kendal College on Thursday, March 18.
Katona, founder of the popular Mowgli Street Food restaurant group, will present the awards at a gala evening celebrating the achievements of businesses and professionals across Cumbria’s food and hospitality sector.
The event will feature 13 competitive award categories alongside three special trophies, bringing together approximately 165 finalists, sponsors, judges and invited guests. Since launching in 2022, the awards have attracted more than 5,000 business entries and public nominations.
Katona said she was delighted to take part in the event, highlighting her affection for Cumbria and its food culture. She regularly visits the county from her home on the Wirral and has become familiar with its restaurants and chefs through her work as a judge on the BBC television programme Great British Menu. She praised the region’s food scene and emphasised the important role restaurants play in attracting visitors, supporting local high streets and strengthening communities. Katona also encouraged residents and businesses to support the awards, describing them as an important opportunity to celebrate the people and organisations contributing to the county’s reputation as a food destination.
Katona previously worked as a barrister before opening her first Mowgli restaurant in Liverpool in 2014, using her savings to establish the business.
The restaurant group has since expanded to 24 locations across the UK. Alongside her work as a restaurateur, Katona has appeared on television and radio, written six cookery books and established The Mowgli Trust charity. She was awarded an MBE for her services to the food industry. Her appointment is expected to bring further attention to the awards and the businesses they celebrate.
The 2027 programme will recognise achievements across a wide range of categories, including chef, café, restaurant, pub, food producer, retailer, service and new business of the year. The highest honour will be the Dave Myers Cumbrian Food and Drink Hero award.
Caterite, a food supplier based near Cockermouth, will return as headline sponsor, continuing its support for the awards since their launch. Other supporters include Booths, Kendal College and several regional businesses.
For the first time, the awards will also have an individual category sponsor. Cumbrian crime writer MW Craven will sponsor the Takeaway or Street Food Trader of the Year award. Kendal College will once again host the event, with its hospitality students preparing canapés and serving a street-food-style dinner for guests.
Organised by Michaela Robinson-Tate and Harry Atkinson, the Cumbria Food Awards aim to recognise quality, innovation and achievement across the region’s hospitality industry.
Entries are expected to open in November 2026, giving businesses across Cumbria an opportunity to showcase their work and compete for recognition at the 2027 ceremony.
Got a news story or tip to share? Contact our editorial team by emailing news@lakelandpost.co.uk or call us directly on 0333 090 2080.