The shortlist for this year’s Great British Food Awards has now been revealed - and there's a strong Cumbrian contigent.

The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 specifically to celebrate the very best artisanal produce in the food and drink industry from flavoured gins to frozen desserts.

After months of rigorous testing by experts from the Great British Food Awards, a host of food and drink producers from Cumbria have been shortlisted as finalists.

Lovingly Artisan has been shortlisted in two categories, both Savoury Biscuits and Savoury Bakes.

The bakery near Kendal on the edge of the Lake District has been recognised for its Northern Bliss-cuits and their Rye Berry Sourdough.

Grasmere Distillery has been shortlisted for both vodka and gin, making it to the final with their Sugar Beet Vodka and Dry Gin.

Kendal based John Farrer & Co. has been shortlisted for their Panama Boquete La Gloria Coffee as well as their English Breakfast Tea Bags.

Hawkshead Relish Company has been shortlisted for the condiments category with their Sticky Toffee Waffle Sauce.

Home By Simon Rogan has been shortlisted four times across three different categories – jam, seasonings and Vinegar, Dressings & Oils.

The Cartmel-based business has attracted attention for their Preserved Cucumber Jam,  Fennel Salt, Cabbage Dressing and Coal Oil.

Eden Yard has also been shortlisted in the Vinegar, Dressings & Oils category, for their Rapeseed Oil.

Kendal-based company Roast Mutton has been shortlisted in two categories, receiving recognition for their bacon and sausages.

The butchers is looking for success with their Dry-cured Unsmoked Bacon as well as their Marmalade Sausage.

Ulverston’s Shed One Distillery has two gins shortlisted, their Martini Gin, as well as the Yiayia Gin, which was created with Cartmel Masterchef 2019 winner, Irini Tzortzoglou.

The shortlisted products are now on their way to be judged by a panel of celebrity chefs, writers, influencers, and buyers, who will pick their regional winners as well as their national Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners.

The judging panel comprises some of the most acclaimed chefs, food critics and influencers in the country, including the likes of Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr, Sally Abe, Olly Smith, William Sitwell, Paul Askew, Merlin Griffiths, Eric Lanlard and Lucy Charles, which provides entrants with an opportunity to have their produce tasted by some of the UK's most influential foodies.

The judges will choose up to three Golds, and the other finalists will be awarded either a Silver or Bronze accolade.

The winning products in each category will then be sent to a final expert judge, who will pick their overall winner - the Grand Champion.

The winners and runners-up from each category will be announced on October 28, in the winter issue of Great British Food Magazine.

You can find out more about the Great British Food Awards here:

http://www.greatbritishfoodawards.com/