WARWICKSHIRE MEANS BUSINESS

Warwickshire's Finest: The 2025 CW Foodie Awards 

”Our local Food and Drink sector is one to be very proud of. It gives so much joy to residents and visitors alike and is a fantastic asset to our communities and integral to the local economy.” 

The 2025 Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards once again shone a spotlight on the region's exceptional culinary talent. Held on June 3rd at King's High School, Warwick, the awards celebrated the very best in local food, drink and hospitality.  

This year Warwickshire County Council teamed up with Coventry City Council to sponsor The Artisanal and Sustainability categories, supporting their work around the Coventry & Warwickshire Food & Drink Producers Network and the Warwickshire ‘Business Energy Advice Service’   

Warwickshire County Council’s Director of Economy and Place, David Ayton-Hill, said: “The breadth and quality of entries to the awards was as high as ever this year and truly reflected the wonderful food and drink offer of our region. We were delighted to see lots of newcomers among the entries as well as some of our much-loved favourites in the running for awards.                                                                                                                                                         

”Our local Food and Drink sector is one to be very proud of. It gives so much joy to residents and visitors alike and is a fantastic asset to our communities and integral to the local economy.” 

Among the Warwickshire-based winners who have made their mark this year are:

Best Pub of the Year: Fleur De Lys 

Nestled on the banks of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal, the Fleur De Lys pub has been crowned the Best Pub of the Year. Renowned for its award-winning pies, this pub offers a quintessentially British dining experience 

Best Pizza Award: Impasto Micro Pizzeria 

Impasto Micro Pizzeria took home the Best Pizza Award for 2025. Known for its artisanal approach to pizza-making, Impasto has become a beloved spot for pizza enthusiasts in Warwickshire  

Craft Drink Award: Dhillon's Brewery 

Dhillon's Brewery has been recognized with the Craft Drink Award. This brewery has made a name for itself with its innovative and high-quality craft beers, contributing significantly to the local craft drink scene  

Best Burger: Libertine Burger 

Libertine Burger has won the Best Burger award for 2025. Their commitment to using locally sourced ingredients and creating mouth-watering burgers has earned them a loyal following and this prestigious accolade  

Best Afternoon Tea: Tales of Tea 

Tales of Tea has been awarded Best Afternoon Tea for 2025. This charming tea room offers a delightful selection of teas and treats, making it a perfect spot for a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience  

Best Wine or Spirit: East Chase Distillers 

East Chase Distillers has been honored with the Best Wine or Spirit award. Their dedication to crafting exceptional spirits has set them apart in the competitive world of distilling  

Best Coffee Shop: 1 Mill Street 

1 Mill Street has been named the Best Coffee Shop. Known for its cosy atmosphere and excellent coffee, it has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike  

Vegan Taste Award: Herb 

Herb has won the Vegan Taste Award for its innovative and delicious vegan dishes. This recognition highlights their commitment to providing high-quality vegan cuisine  

Best Farm Shop: Field to Fork 

Field to Fork has been awarded Best Farm Shop. Their focus on fresh, locally sourced produce has made them a go-to destination for those seeking quality farm products  

Best Sunday Lunch: The Arrow Mill 

The Arrow Mill has taken home the Best Sunday Lunch award. Their traditional Sunday roasts have become a beloved tradition for many in the community  

Street Food Vendor Award: Big Malakas 

Big Malakas has been recognized with the Street Food Vendor Award. Their vibrant and flavorful street food offerings have made them a standout in the local food scene  

Taste of Leamington Spa: The Drawing Board 

The Drawing Board has been honored with the Taste of Leamington Spa award. This recognition celebrates their contribution to the culinary landscape of Leamington Spa  

Taste of Stratford-upon-Avon: Impasto Micro Pizzeria 

Impasto has also won the Taste of Stratford-upon-Avon award, further cementing their reputation as a top culinary destination in the region  

Taste of Rugby Award: The Revel Bakery 

The Revel Bakery has been awarded the Taste of Rugby award for its exceptional baked goods and commitment to quality  

Food Hero 2025: The Pod Cafe 

The Pod Cafe has been named Food Hero 2025. This award recognizes their outstanding contributions to the community through their food initiatives  

Start-up Award: Lily & Fox Bakery 

Lily & Fox Bakery has won the Start-up Award for their impressive entry into the local food scene with their delicious baked goods  

Sustainability Award: Club 147 

Club 147 has been honoured with the Sustainability Award for their efforts in promoting sustainable practices within the hospitality industry  

Chef of the Year 2025: Sophie Hyam 

Sophie Hyam has been named Chef of the Year 2025. Her culinary skills and innovative dishes have earned her this prestigious title  

Restaurant of the Year 2025: Oscar's French Bistro 

Oscar's French Bistro has been awarded Restaurant of the Year 2025. Their exceptional French cuisine has made them a standout dining destination in Warwickshire  

Best Artisanal Food: Wild Breads 

Wild Breads won the Best Artisanal Food award for their high-quality, handcrafted bread and baked goods. As Nuneaton newcomers, who only opened in September 2024 this business has grown rapidly with husband and wife team, Siyana and Alex juggling the needs of both a young family and young business at the same time. They accessed free business support through the Warwickshire Start Up Business Support programme delivered by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Warwickshire County Council. The programme is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Warwickshire County Council. Together they formulated a plan for growth and promotion and has gone from strength to strength.

Warwickshire County Council was also joined at the awards by organisational partners from the CW Growth Hub, The Warwickshire Rural Hub and ‘LEAF - Linking Environment & Farming’.  Following the recent completion of the Warwickshire Rural Growth Strategy the Council has a renewed focus to enable support for businesses in Rural Communities and is keen to work with partners to further this work. 

Any rural or agricultural based businesses wishing to find out more should email abi.culley@warwickshire.gov.uk 

These winners represent the best of Coventry and Warwickshire's vibrant food and drink scene, showcasing the region's dedication to quality, innovation, and community spirit. Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable achievements. 

Full list of winners of the Coventry and Warwickshire Foodie Awards 2025 

*The Coventry & Warwickshire Food & Drink Producers Network is a network for food and drink producers across the area.  Attendees share issues, solutions and opportunities as well as hearing from a range of industry-related speakers. The next event is due to take place on 2nd  July 2025, 9.30 to 11.30am in Leamington. For further information or to request to attend please email towns@warwickshire.gov.uk

* Businesses looking to save money around energy or looking to unlock funding can register for a free business energy assessment at https://www.coventry.gov.uk/business-energy-advice-service-west-midlands-warwickshire/BEAS  to find out what is available.  

* If you are a Food & Drink Business who just wants to know what support or funding is available, you can access this via the CW Growth Hub by email to Kayleigh.preston@cwgrowthhub.co.uk 

Pic: Rupert Marlow: www.threepinmedia.com 

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