2026 SHORTLIST REVEALED!

Description: For hospitality businesses, from high-street operators to fine dining groups, creating opportunities for women in culinary, management and operational roles.

Description: This category recognises founders and entrepreneurs who have built and are leading challenger food and drink brands. These individuals demonstrate exceptional vision, resilience, and commercial acumen, creating brands that disrupt, innovate, and grow in competitive markets.

Description: Celebrating chefs and culinary professionals who are redefining excellence in taste, creativity, and leadership.

Celebrating a standout DE&I campaign or programme at a large enterprise company that has shifted the dial in gender representation in food and drink.

Diversity & Inclusion Champion - Product & Supply Chain

Entrepreneur of the Year - Functions & Services

Description: For women expanding the UK and Ireland’s food and drink reputation on the global stage.

Description: Recognising outstanding contribution to food and drink within hotels, restaurants, bars or catering; driving quality, customer experience, and team leadership.

Innovator of the Year - Supply Chain & Services

Description: Recognising excellence in food production and manufacturing leadership.

Description: Recognising women who have shaped powerful food and drink brands through creativity and insight.

Description: Honouring women influencing policy, regulation, or advocacy in food and drink.

Sponsored by Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

Description: Celebrates a woman making a difference in buying, category management merchandising and retail operations. This award recognises commercial insight, supplier collaboration, and strategic thinking that drives consumer value and retail success.

Rising Star Award - Operations

Rising Star Award - Sales & Communications

Sustainability Champion - Operations & Functional Services

Description: For excellence in technical, regulatory, or food safety roles that ensure trust in our food system.

Woman of the Year - Products & Services

Woman of the Year - Sales & Communications

Description: Celebrates a woman driving exceptional growth, innovation, and influence within a challenger or emerging food or drink brand.

Description: For women making a tangible difference in their local or regional food ecosystem.

Diversity & Inclusion Champion - Academic, Communications & Trade Body

Entrepreneur of the Year - Brands

Description: Recognising leadership in waste reduction, recycling, and circular economy innovation.

Description: Recognising an exceptional woman driving impact within foodservice operations; across wholesale, distribution, contract catering, or supply to hospitality

Innovator of the Year - Product

Description: Honouring women driving innovation and quality in beverage production, from soft drinks to spirits.

Description: Recognising a trailblazer whose lifelong contributions have transformed the food and drink sector.

This award recognises a male professional who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to championing gender equity in the food and drink sector. A true advocate, he actively supports, mentors, and empowers women, fosters inclusive workplaces, and uses his position to drive meaningful progress across the industry.

Recognising a company initiative specifically designed to elevate women into leadership roles across food and drink.

Description: Celebrating women at the forefront of agriculture, fisheries, or, horticulture, aquaculture.

Description: Celebrates a woman leading the creation, reformulation, or innovation of food and drink products that meet evolving consumer needs.

Description: For women transforming retail through strategy, technology, or customer experience.

Rising Star Award - Product

Description: Recognising women who keep the food and drink industry moving; from sourcing to shelf.

Sustainability Champion - Product

Woman of the Year - Leadership

Honouring a business with a strong, values-led workplace culture that empowers women and underrepresented groups.