Cumbria & Manchester’s Lovingly Artisan Bakery has been crowned Artisan Food & Drink Business of the Year in the inaugural Artisan Founder Awards, hosted by the online publication and podcast The Artisan Founder.

Launched this year, the Artisan Founder Awards were created to celebrate independent makers, creators, and founders who are shaping the future of artisan businesses. The awards span twelve categories, including Excellence in Craftsmanship, Sustainability Champion, New Artisan Business Award, and Creative Packaging Award.

The judging panel brought together a wealth of expertise, featuring renowned ceramicist Sue Pryke, Richard Collier, founder and creative partner of leading UK design agency One Off, and Anisha Mistry, senior PR account manager at Approach PR, alongside Lyndsey James, creator of The Artisan Founder.

Conceived by James, The Artisan Founder exists to support independent artisan businesses by helping them reach wider audiences through digital and social platforms. The initiative highlights brands that channel passion and purpose into their products, enabling the public to discover and champion unique, creative businesses.

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural awards, James said: “When I opened nominations for the Artisan Founder Awards this spring, I never imagined the level of enthusiasm it would generate. Over 5,000 votes were cast, with thousands of people joining in to support their favourite artisan businesses. What we now have feels like the start of something truly special, a way to bring consumers closer to the joy, creativity, and purpose behind artisan brands. Our 2025 winners represent an inspiring collection of makers to discover and celebrate.”

Accepting the award, Catherine Connor, co-owner of Lovingly Artisan Bakery, commented:

“Being recognised for what we do day in, day out is incredibly special, especially by like-minded people who share our passion. We hope that everything we strive to deliver for our customers resonates with fellow artisan bakers across the country, inspiring them to keep putting wholesome, healthy, high-quality bread back at the centre of the dining table, where it rightly belongs. That has always been one of the driving forces behind our business.”