The 18th Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2026/7 were officially launched this week celebrating Northants’ vibrant culinary scene.
A special honour was awarded to 93-year-old retired restaurateur John Panayis at the event which took place at Bottom Farm in Hargrave.
He was presented with the Awards ceremony first-ever ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’
Although unable to attend due to illness, the award was accepted on his behalf by Stuart Wright , owner of Nuovo restaurant.
Recently featured in national newspapers as “The Codfather” for being the UK’s oldest fish and chip shop owner at Nick’s Plaice, John’s remarkable career spans more than seven decades.
His legacy in Northamptonshire’s hospitality sector dates back to 1950 with Lynns Café, and includes ownership of well-known establishments such as Sophia Restaurant, La Ronde Steak House in Bridge Street and L’Apperitif on Mare Fair.
Celebrating his 93rd birthday in March, John, who has been widely recognised for his lasting contribution to the local dining scene.
Celebrating excellence in Northants’ vibrant culinary scene
Full details of the 2026/27 Awards were unveiled by Awards Director Rachel Mallows at the launch event, held at Bottom Farm in Hargrave.
She highlighted the importance of bringing people together to recognise and celebrate local culinary talent, noting that the Awards continue to shine a spotlight on Northamptonshire’s food and drink innovators.
From independent cafés and local producers to emerging chefs and rising stars, the competition recognises those demonstrating passion, creativity and dedication across the sector.
“Feedback from previous finalists and Gold award winners shows just how much having the Awards logo displayed – on websites, windows, menus, or receipts – can enhance reputation, recognise and motivate staff, and even boost sales,” she said.
This year’s Awards feature 18 categories, supported by a range of sponsors including headline sponsor, Weetabix, showcasing excellence across the industry — from restaurants and pubs to students, producers and suppliers.
Sustainability at the Forefront
Sustainability remains a central theme, reflected across multiple categories and initiatives.
Stuart Branch, Group People and Technology Director at Weetabix, said:
“Over the past year, we’ve continued to strengthen our sustainability journey. Our Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) targets were officially validated — an important milestone that reflects our long-term commitment to doing things the right way. We also progressed our sustainable agriculture work, partnering with local farmers to grow over 800 tonnes of lower carbon wheat, enabling us to produce more than 30 million Weetabix from this responsibly sourced grain.
“Sustainability remains central to who we are, and it’s inspiring to see these values championed across every Awards category once again. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this year’s launch to life — we can’t wait to see the incredible achievements that 2026/27 will showcase.”
Award Categories
Among the categories open for free entry are:
Artisan Local Drink of the Year
Booker Gastro Pub of the Year
Young Chef of the Year
Community Café of the Year
Restaurant of the Year
The Weetabix Sustainability Award
Additional categories will recognise achievements in production, education and community impact.
Winners will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze awards, with results set to be announced at a ceremony on 15 October 2026 at the Royal & Derngate Theatre. The event will once again be supported by national catering award winners Portfolio Events.
For further details on categories, entry criteria and nomination forms, visit the official Awards website or contact the organising team directly: https://northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk/