Top Lancaster and Morecambe firms showcase their food and drink at awards launch

Lancaster and Morecambe Bay food producers have given a taste of their wares at an awards showcase to buyers including Eden Project Morecambe.

The Taste Lancashire Producer Awards 2026 launched with a Producer Showcase Event held at Farm Yard Brew Co in Cockerham.

The event saw more than 25 local food producers showcase their products to key decision makers from the tourism, hospitality and retail sector in Lancashire and beyond.

Exhibitors included previous Taste Lancashire Producer award winners and finalists.

Among the exhibitors were local producers including Lancaster coffee roasting specialists Atkinsons, Mio Gelato of Morecambe and Lancaster, Wallings Ice Cream, Well Good Bread who have a weekly market stall in Lancaster, and Lancaster Spirits Company.

Buyers and chefs had the chance to speak directly with the producers, discuss how their products could work in their recipes and stores, and sample the produce too. 

The buyers included Eden Project Morecambe, Booths, and Westmorland Family.

The awards are being held by Marketing Lancashire in partnership with Booths, and the launch was held on October 5.

"The Lancashire Producers Showcase was an idea born to put some of the county's producers stage and centre, in front of a host of the incredible business owners and decision makers across the North West and that we did!" said Danny Ellridge, Executive Director at Farm Yard Brew Company.

"It was a great day full of great people getting to show off what they do best and I'm certain many, many new partnerships were forged.

"I'm already looking forward to the next one!"

The Taste Lancashire Producer Awards were launched during a special producer-only segment of the day in which John Gill, Head of Trading & Supply at Booths, offered advice for those hoping to sell within the leading Lancashire retailer's stores.

The awards will once again run alongside the Lancashire Tourism Awards with the winners announced at a joint ceremony in February 2027, hosted at King George's Hall in Blackburn.

“Lancashire is known as a destination for food tourism, and the food producers in the county have a strong part to play in that reputation," said Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnerships Director at Marketing Lancashire.

"These high calibre producers not only play their part in delivering an incredible hospitality experience, but many help put Lancashire on the map when visitors buy products and take a little bit of Lancashire home with them. 

"The event yesterday was a huge success with many of the exhibitors and attendees commenting on just how varied the landscape and how incredible the produce is in Lancashire. To be able to bring these producers together in one place and allow the fantastic introductions 
to be made was exactly what we hoped it would be. 

“We had some outstanding applications the last two years of the awards. I am looking forward to seeing which businesses put themselves forward for the awards this year and working alongside Booths to crown the 2027 winners.”

John Gill, Booths Head of Trading & Supply, said: "Working with local producers has been at the heart of Booths since 1847, and we’re fortunate 
to have exceptional food and drink producers right on our Lancashire doorstep.

"The showcase was a fantastic opportunity to meet the people behind the products, hear their stories and taste the quality for ourselves.

“We’re delighted to partner with Marketing Lancashire on these awards again. They give producers a valuable opportunity to put their products in front of buyers, share their ambitions and gain recognition for their skill and hard work. I’d encourage Lancashire’s food and drink producers to enter—we’re always keen to discover something exceptional.”

Applications for the Taste Lancashire Awards 2027 are now open and can be found HERE, along with criteria for entrants.

The deadline for applications is November 6, samples will need to arrive by November 13, with the the shortlist due to be announced in late November.

Those shortlisted will then be invited for interview and tasting session in January 2027 at the Booths HQ in Preston, with the winners announced as 
part of the Lancashire Tourism Awards ceremony in February 2027.