ENTER THE WOMEN IN FOOD & DRINK AWARDS 

We are delighted to announce that, now nominations are closed, we are now open for entries. 

Being nominated is just the first step and does not automatically place you into the awards. Now entries are open, all nominees will be personally invited to submit their entry. Didn’t receive a nomination? You can still enter! Entries are open to everyone and are completely free of charge.

Please note - each entrant may submit entries in up to three categories.

Entries close: Friday 27 February 2026

Business Awards

Business Awards 

Honouring a business with a strong, values-led workplace culture that empowers women and underrepresented groups.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Staff satisfaction data, engagement surveys, inclusive HR policies, and proactive wellbeing, mental health and equity initiatives.

Recognising a company’s efforts to drive gender and broader inclusion across its sourcing, procurement, or supplier partnerships.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Supplier diversity targets, support for women-owned businesses, inclusive procurement frameworks, and impact metrics.

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.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Bold vision, stakeholder engagement, communications, internal impact and industry influence.

Recognising a company initiative specifically designed to elevate women into leadership roles across food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Quality and impact of the programme; measurable outcomes (e.g. promotions, retention, engagement); testimonials from participants; scalability and sector relevance.

For hospitality businesses, from high-street operators to fine dining groups, creating opportunities for women in culinary, management and operational roles.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Internal progression pathways, recognition and rewards programmes, training investment, and support for female chefs and managers.

Individual Awards

Individual Awards 

Description:The most prestigious award, recognising an outstanding woman whose achievements have had a transformative impact on the food and drink industry.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria:Proven leadership, innovation, and measurable impact; influence across the wider sector; embodiment of values of inclusivity and inspiration.

Description:Celebrating an emerging woman who is already making her mark early in her career.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria:A woman with under 5 years’ experience in the industry; clear potential for future leadership; evidence of initiative, innovation, and ambition.

Description: Recognising excellence in food production and manufacturing leadership.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Leadership of a manufacturing operation; innovation in production efficiency, safety, or sustainability; contribution to team development and gender equality.

Description: Honouring women driving innovation and quality in beverage production, from soft drinks to spirits.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Achievements in product development, sustainability, or market growth; leadership and advocacy for diversity in the drinks sector.

Description: Celebrating women at the forefront of agriculture, fisheries, or, horticulture, aquaculture.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Outstanding contributions to primary food production; innovation in sustainability or animal welfare; community and environmental leadership.

Description: Recognising women who keep the food and drink industry moving; from sourcing to shelf.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Achievements in logistics, distribution or cold chain management; operational excellence; commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Description: For women transforming retail through strategy, technology, or customer experience.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Innovation in product offering, digital transformation, or sustainability in retail; measurable business impact.

Description: Recognising an exceptional woman driving impact within foodservice operations; across wholesale, distribution, contract catering, or supply to hospitality
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman demonstrating outstanding leadership in foodservice through innovation, strategic impact, and operational excellence.

Description: Recognising outstanding contribution to food and drink within hotels, restaurants, bars or catering; driving quality, customer experience, and team leadership.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Exceptional customer impact, operational innovation and a commitment to inclusion and diversity; for chefs, hospitality operations and food and beverage managers.

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.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman driving commercial success in food and drink retail through strategic buying, category growth, and customer-led merchandising.

Description: Celebrates a woman leading the creation, reformulation, or innovation of food and drink products that meet evolving consumer needs.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman driving product innovation in food and drink through technical excellence, consumer-led development, and successful launches.

Description: Recognising women leading the charge towards a greener, more responsible food system.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Proven sustainability initiatives reducing waste, carbon footprint, or improving supply chain ethics; measurable outcomes

Description: Celebrating women driving new ideas, products, or technologies in food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.
Criteria: Evidence of breakthrough innovation, commercial success, or disruptive thinking; contribution to sector advancement.

Description: For women who have founded or co-founded successful, innovative businesses within food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Business growth, creativity, and resilience; positive social or environmental impact; leadership and vision.

Description: Celebrates a woman driving exceptional growth, innovation, and influence within a challenger or emerging food or drink brand.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman leading a fast-growing or disruptive food or drink brand through innovation, visionary leadership, and purpose-led values.

Description: Honouring those advancing gender and wider diversity within their organisations and the industry.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Implementation of inclusive policies, mentoring initiatives, or advocacy work with demonstrable impact.

Description: Recognising women who have shaped powerful food and drink brands through creativity and insight.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Effective brand storytelling; campaign impact and innovation; alignment with ethical or social values.

Description: For excellence in technical, regulatory, or food safety roles that ensure trust in our food system.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Leadership in compliance, quality assurance, or technical innovation; measurable improvements in safety and standards.

Description: Celebrating chefs and culinary professionals who are redefining excellence in taste, creativity, and leadership.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Culinary innovation, mentorship of others, and contributions to sustainability or local sourcing.

Description: For women making a tangible difference in their local or regional food ecosystem.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Demonstrated community benefit through education, food poverty initiatives, or local economy support.

Description: Recognising leadership in waste reduction, recycling, and circular economy innovation.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Demonstrable reduction in waste or resource use; scalable or replicable initiatives across the supply chain.

Description: For women expanding the UK and Ireland’s food and drink reputation on the global stage.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Success in export growth, international partnerships, or cross-border trade leadership.

Description: Honouring women influencing policy, regulation, or advocacy in food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Measurable contributions to public policy, regulatory reform, or advocacy on key industry issues.

Description: Recognising a trailblazer whose lifelong contributions have transformed the food and drink sector.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: 20+ years of leadership and service; legacy of impact, mentorship, and advocacy for women in the industry.

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.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Recognises a male champion of gender equity who has visibly advocated for women, taken meaningful action to support their advancement, driven measurable change, and earned peer recognition for inclusive leadership across the food and drink industry.

Challenger Brand Leader

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

Criteria: Recognises a woman leading a fast-growing or disruptive food or drink brand through innovation, visionary leadership, and purpose-led values.

Culinary Excellence Award

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

Criteria: Culinary innovation, mentorship of others, and contributions to sustainability or local sourcing.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Description: For women who have founded or co-founded successful, innovative businesses within food and drink.

Criteria: Business growth, creativity, and resilience; positive social or environmental impact; leadership and vision.

Food Waste & Circular Economy Champion

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

Criteria: Demonstrable reduction in waste or resource use; scalable or replicable initiatives across the supply chain.

Hospitality Hero

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

Criteria: Exceptional customer impact, operational innovation and a commitment to inclusion and diversity; for chefs, hospitality operations and food and beverage managers.

Leadership in Drinks Manufacturing

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

Criteria: Achievements in product development, sustainability, or market growth; leadership and advocacy for diversity in the drinks sector.

Lifetime Achievement Award

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

Criteria: 20+ years of leadership and service; legacy of impact, mentorship, and advocacy for women in the industry.

Policy & Advocacy Award

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

Criteria: Measurable contributions to public policy, regulatory reform, or advocacy on key industry issues.

Product Developer of the Year

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

Criteria: Recognises a woman driving product innovation in food and drink through technical excellence, consumer-led development, and successful launches.

Retail Innovator of the Year

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

Criteria: Innovation in product offering, digital transformation, or sustainability in retail; measurable business impact.

Supply Chain & Logistics Leader

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

Criteria: Achievements in logistics, distribution or cold chain management; operational excellence; commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Technical & Quality Leader

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

Criteria: Leadership in compliance, quality assurance, or technical innovation; measurable improvements in safety and standards.

Community Impact Award

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

Criteria: Demonstrated community benefit through education, food poverty initiatives, or local economy support.

Diversity & Inclusion Champion

Description: Honouring those advancing gender and wider diversity within their organisations and the industry.

Criteria: Implementation of inclusive policies, mentoring initiatives, or advocacy work with demonstrable impact.

Export & International Trade Leader

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

Criteria: Success in export growth, international partnerships, or cross-border trade leadership.

Foodservice Leader of the Year

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

Criteria: Recognises a woman demonstrating outstanding leadership in foodservice through innovation, strategic impact, and operational excellence.

Innovator of the Year

Description: Celebrating women driving new ideas, products, or technologies in food and drink.
Criteria: Evidence of breakthrough innovation, commercial success, or disruptive thinking; contribution to sector advancement.

Leadership in Food Manufacturing

Description: Recognising excellence in food production and manufacturing leadership.

Criteria: Leadership of a manufacturing operation; innovation in production efficiency, safety, or sustainability; contribution to team development and gender equality.

Marketing & Brand Leader

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

Criteria: Effective brand storytelling; campaign impact and innovation; alignment with ethical or social values.

Woman of the Year

Description:The most prestigious award, recognising an outstanding woman whose achievements have had a transformative impact on the food and drink industry.

Criteria:Proven leadership, innovation, and measurable impact; influence across the wider sector; embodiment of values of inclusivity and inspiration.

Primary Producer of the Year

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

Criteria: Outstanding contributions to primary food production; innovation in sustainability or animal welfare; community and environmental leadership.

Retail and Buying Excellence Award

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.

Criteria: Recognises a woman driving commercial success in food and drink retail through strategic buying, category growth, and customer-led merchandising.

Rising Star Award

Description:Celebrating an emerging woman who is already making her mark early in her career.

Criteria:A woman with under 5 years’ experience in the industry; clear potential for future leadership; evidence of initiative, innovation, and ambition.

Sustainability Champion

Description: Recognising women leading the charge towards a greener, more responsible food system.

Criteria: Proven sustainability initiatives reducing waste, carbon footprint, or improving supply chain ethics; measurable outcomes

Categories

Individual Awards 

Description:The most prestigious award, recognising an outstanding woman whose achievements have had a transformative impact on the food and drink industry.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria:Proven leadership, innovation, and measurable impact; influence across the wider sector; embodiment of values of inclusivity and inspiration.

Description:Celebrating an emerging woman who is already making her mark early in her career.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria:A woman with under 5 years’ experience in the industry; clear potential for future leadership; evidence of initiative, innovation, and ambition.

Description: Recognising excellence in food production and manufacturing leadership.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Leadership of a manufacturing operation; innovation in production efficiency, safety, or sustainability; contribution to team development and gender equality.

Description: Honouring women driving innovation and quality in beverage production, from soft drinks to spirits.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Achievements in product development, sustainability, or market growth; leadership and advocacy for diversity in the drinks sector.

Description: Celebrating women at the forefront of agriculture, fisheries, or, horticulture, aquaculture.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Outstanding contributions to primary food production; innovation in sustainability or animal welfare; community and environmental leadership.

Description: Recognising women who keep the food and drink industry moving; from sourcing to shelf.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Achievements in logistics, distribution or cold chain management; operational excellence; commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Description: For women transforming retail through strategy, technology, or customer experience.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Innovation in product offering, digital transformation, or sustainability in retail; measurable business impact.

Description: Recognising an exceptional woman driving impact within foodservice operations; across wholesale, distribution, contract catering, or supply to hospitality
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman demonstrating outstanding leadership in foodservice through innovation, strategic impact, and operational excellence.

Description: Recognising outstanding contribution to food and drink within hotels, restaurants, bars or catering; driving quality, customer experience, and team leadership.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Exceptional customer impact, operational innovation and a commitment to inclusion and diversity; for chefs, hospitality operations and food and beverage managers.

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.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman driving commercial success in food and drink retail through strategic buying, category growth, and customer-led merchandising.

Description: Celebrates a woman leading the creation, reformulation, or innovation of food and drink products that meet evolving consumer needs.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman driving product innovation in food and drink through technical excellence, consumer-led development, and successful launches.

Description: Recognising women leading the charge towards a greener, more responsible food system.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Proven sustainability initiatives reducing waste, carbon footprint, or improving supply chain ethics; measurable outcomes

Description: Celebrating women driving new ideas, products, or technologies in food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.
Criteria: Evidence of breakthrough innovation, commercial success, or disruptive thinking; contribution to sector advancement.

Description: For women who have founded or co-founded successful, innovative businesses within food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Business growth, creativity, and resilience; positive social or environmental impact; leadership and vision.

Description: Celebrates a woman driving exceptional growth, innovation, and influence within a challenger or emerging food or drink brand.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Recognises a woman leading a fast-growing or disruptive food or drink brand through innovation, visionary leadership, and purpose-led values.

Description: Honouring those advancing gender and wider diversity within their organisations and the industry.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Implementation of inclusive policies, mentoring initiatives, or advocacy work with demonstrable impact.

Description: Recognising women who have shaped powerful food and drink brands through creativity and insight.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Effective brand storytelling; campaign impact and innovation; alignment with ethical or social values.

Description: For excellence in technical, regulatory, or food safety roles that ensure trust in our food system.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Leadership in compliance, quality assurance, or technical innovation; measurable improvements in safety and standards.

Description: Celebrating chefs and culinary professionals who are redefining excellence in taste, creativity, and leadership.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Culinary innovation, mentorship of others, and contributions to sustainability or local sourcing.

Description: For women making a tangible difference in their local or regional food ecosystem.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Demonstrated community benefit through education, food poverty initiatives, or local economy support.

Description: Recognising leadership in waste reduction, recycling, and circular economy innovation.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Demonstrable reduction in waste or resource use; scalable or replicable initiatives across the supply chain.

Description: For women expanding the UK and Ireland’s food and drink reputation on the global stage.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Success in export growth, international partnerships, or cross-border trade leadership.

Description: Honouring women influencing policy, regulation, or advocacy in food and drink.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: Measurable contributions to public policy, regulatory reform, or advocacy on key industry issues.

Description: Recognising a trailblazer whose lifelong contributions have transformed the food and drink sector.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Criteria: 20+ years of leadership and service; legacy of impact, mentorship, and advocacy for women in the industry.

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.
£ 0.00
You have used the multi-select option by clicking a checkbox.
Process or clear your selections to enable the item buttons.

Recognises a male champion of gender equity who has visibly advocated for women, taken meaningful action to support their advancement, driven measurable change, and earned peer recognition for inclusive leadership across the food and drink industry.

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