Carlisle Festive Special Awards 2024
Created by Cumbrians with a passion for Xmas Specials
since 2021
2024 AWARDS LAUNCH IN:
Get Involved! We're going to make next year's competition way bigger than before!
LEGAL
We're pretty serious about good food, so we also need to lawyer up incase anyone gets upset that their festive special was something we'd rather forget. We must state that all opinions published on this site and individual Social Media profiles for this competition are the opinions of the individuals involved, not those of companies or brands they represent or are associated with. This entire thing is for entertainment purposes only! This little challenge is for entertainment purposes and by no means is intended to upset or harm any individuals or places we have tried.
THE RESULTS (2023)
2023 Winner
Congrats to The Sandwich Bar (Warwick Rd)!
Our Judging panel chosen you as our best tasting Festive Special in 2022.
DAY 1 - Sandwich Mill
The Sandwich Mill certainly set the bar high this year! Everyone commented on the delicious Gravy and good amount of Baguette filling.- The only negative was that there were no Pigs in Blankets.
DAY 2 - Genco's
Genre's delivered a well filled soft baguette with Pigs in Blankets proudly on display. The only thing this baguette was missing was good Gravy - Unfortunately, their Gravy was a bit disappointing in our opinion.
THE RESULTS (2022)
2022 Winner
Congrats to The Sandwich Bar (Warwick Rd)!
Our Judging panel chosen you as our best tasting Festive Special in 2022.
DAY 1 - Sandwich Mill
The Sandwich Mill certainly set the bar high this year! Everyone commented on the delicious Gravy and good amount of Baguette filling.- The only negative was that there were no Pigs in Blankets.
DAY 2 - Genco's
Genre's delivered a well filled soft baguette with Pigs in Blankets proudly on display. The only thing this baguette was missing was good Gravy - Unfortunately, their Gravy was a bit disappointing in our opinion.
DAY 3 - Henri's
Totally Scrumptious Henri's provided a nice crunchy baguette. Many complemented the crunchy baguette and the convenience of its shape making it easier for gravy dipping (essential!) - However, Many of us felt that it would have been nicer with hot fillings and a more generous portion of stuffing!Side Note: This has been the first and only this year to be cold,
DAY 4 - The Sandwich Bar
Its a Sausage Show! Wow! This baguette was truly stuffed. Bacon, Sausage, Cranberry, Turkey, Stuffing and Gravy! Admittedly, No pigs in Blankets but the big sausages and Bacon made up for that! - We needed a nap after we ate them!
DAY 5 - The Good Sister
We returned to one of our favourites from 2021 to check out their 2022 version. This year The Good Sister name their Xmas Special 'Pigs in a Poncho'
DAY 6 - Cumbria Roast Co.
We decided to visit the new kid on the block! Cumbria Roast Company. Safe to say that this baguette was stuffed! Turkey and Stuffing to the brim!The only negative comment we could deliver is that most felt the Gravy would have been better provided separately rather than already on-top as it made it quite the challenge to consume in all its gravy-goodness!
SOCIAL MEDIA
People occasionally Tweet stuff using the Official Hashtag #CarlisleFestiveSpecials22
THE RESULTS (2021)
2021 Winner
Congrats to Blackwell Bites!
Our Judging panel chosen you as our best tasting Festive Special in 2021.
DAY 1 - Cranstons
A Trip to Cranstons did not disappoint!
Their Seasonal Baguettes were more of a soft finger roll but they featured a satisfying amount of Turkey and were smothered in gravy.
DAY 2 - The Good Sister
Wrapping this one up with some mentions of the key ingredients: Pigs in Blankets, Cranberry & Jalapeno relish, Stuffing and even some Brie.
No Turkey or Gravy in sight though! A Very tasty alternative to your usual Baguette.
DAY 3 - Com-For-T
This one left us all feeling stuffed! Plenty of Turkey and Stuffing inside. Some Judges commented that there was "a lot of Butter" but this was something most saw as a positive.
DAY 4 - Crumbs
A good distribution of Cranberry Sauce and a nice crunchy baguette! Plenty of Pigs in Blankets inside too!
DAY 5 - Blackwell Bites
A very filling Baguette with a very big helping of Stuffing! So far they have provided the biggest pot of Gravy. This baguette was the first to require a plate due to its size!
DAY 6 - Alexandros
Alexandros. This one featured a very tangy Cranberry sauce for a nice twist and some delicious Turkey.
SOCIAL MEDIA
People occasionally Tweet stuff using the Official Hashtag #CarlisleFestiveSpecials21
FAQ'S
When do we find out who won?
Our 2021 Winner was Blackwell Bites in Carlisle.
Can I make a recommendation?
Sure! Submit your recommendations via our website.
Is there an Award or Prize?
Winners will receive an engraved Trophy and Certificate that they can proudly display to their customers or stick on their fridge like their Child's awful drawings that they have to pretend to be proud of!
Is there a presentation / Awards evening?Unfortunately, The only venue that is big enough to host our event in 2022 is double booked. We've had to postpone 2021 and 2022, but for 2023 you can expect a Black Tie event featuring the finest Festival Specials. Move aside British Kebab Awards!
How do you score?Each Food vendor is scored based on a general satisfaction rating, pricing point, and quality of the Festive Special. We have a dedicated team of 12 individuals chosen to participate in the taste-testing process. Each week the scores are recorded by our expert data team and chief record keeper (all kept securely offline on a Whiteboard).
__** Why did you create this?*__
We are like-minded individuals with a passion for good food. We're doing this for you!
We created this platform to perform this very serious and unique research task with the aim of helping the people of our city.Our End Goal is to inform you where you should go for your Festive Specials. Why? Reading our reviews will ensure you'll never have a bad lunch time in December ever again! *
** Why don't you eat them more frequently?**
It wouldn't be a clever move because it would put us off our Christmas Day Dinner and that would ultimately RUIN Christmas...
.We're pretty serious. Not sure how serious, but our reviews are honest!
** This is another legal clause! You can't sue us if you somehow have a bad lunch in December. We hold no responsibility for you having a bad Lunch in December of any day or time of year.
MAKE A RECOMMENDATION
Where does the best Xmas Special in Carlisle?We're on the lookout for recommendations. We'll not have time to try everywhere, but we'll be sure to try and get as many as possible.
© Carlisle Festive Special Awards
Press & Sponsorship
Press can contact us by using the recommendations form on our Website.
We are happy to speak to any press looking to cover the awards for social events or a local interest piece.
See you in 2023!
Unfortunately, The only venue that is big enough to host our event in 2022 is double booked. We've had to postpone 2021 and 2022, but for 2023 you can expect a Black Tie event featuring the finest Festival Specials. Move aside British Kebab Awards!
YOUR ORDER
Please complete the Google Form below to place your order.
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Please complete this form before 9am.
Please inform us if you are no longer available to attend before this time.
a confirmation of orders we have received will be posted within the Group chat at 9:30am.
Our usual ETA for food arrival is 12:30pm- ish.