Cumbria’s Lovingly Artisan Bakery has been named overall winner of the Food & Drink Brand of the Year Award at The Artisan Founder Awards 2026, following a combined public vote and independent judging process.

The Artisan Founder Awards celebrate independent UK businesses creating their own products, recognising the skill, originality and commitment behind artisan businesses across the country.

Finalists were first selected following public nominations, before each category was assessed by an independent judge and opened to a public vote. The overall winner was determined by combining the ranking from the public vote with the ranking awarded by the category judge.

Lyndsey James, founder of The Artisan Founder, said: "The awards were created to give artisan businesses another opportunity to be discovered and celebrated. What continues to stand out is the strength of support these businesses receive from the people who buy from them and follow their work.

"Winning an Artisan Founder Award recognises not only the quality of the finished product, but the skill, thought and commitment that goes into building a business around making something exceptionally well."

Catherine Connor, co-owner of Lovingly Artisan Bakery, remarked on the win: "Winning an Artisan Founder Award for a second year is a proud moment for the whole team. We’ve had another epic year, and we’ve really only just got started. There’s much more to come, and we won’t stop pushing. Awards like this recognise the effort the whole team put into making the business what it is, and we can’t thank them enough for their hard work day in and day out – this one's for the whole team."

The Artisan Founder Creative Business Awards celebrate outstanding UK independent product-based businesses. Each year, we recognise founder-led artisan businesses working across craft, food & drink, wellbeing, clothing, accessories and homewares, highlighting those crafting original products with care, consistency, and integrity. The awards are free to enter and provide a considered space for discovery, bringing together editorial selection, expert insight, and public recognition.

The Artisan Founder Awards were launched in 2025 and returned in 2026 following nominations from readers across the UK.

The full list of 2026 winners can be found at https://artisanfounder.com/2026-business-awards