17-03-2025
'It means a lot to us' - Carlisle sandwich bar nominated for award
We're highlighting the shortlisted sandwich bars in our competition in the News & Star. Each of the establishments will be featured over ten issues.
Food@broadway has been nominated by News & Star readers as one of the ten finalists in its 'Best Sandwich Bar 2025' award.
The sandwich bar is located on Kingstown Broadway, Carlisle, and is owned by business partners Fiona Barwick and Andrea Sowerby, who opened their business in 2013.
After being informed that Food@broadway has been chosen by News & Star readers to feature in the final ten of the 'Best Sandwich Bar 2025' award, Fiona was on hand to express her delight.
She said: "It means a lot to us because our customers have become our friends. They come and see us two or three times a day.
"It is nice to have hard work appreciated because we don't buy ready-made sandwich fillings, we make them.
Every chicken breast is cooked for coronation chicken, every piece of cheese is grated, and every egg is boiled.
"It is a lot of hard work, but once you set the bar high, you can't come down from that, and you have got to keep going, but it is a very rewarding job."
Fiona also discussed her own passion for food and how she and Andrea have worked together to make their business a local staple for over a decade.
She said: "I have done care work, and I have had a factory job. I auditioned for Masterchef 14 years ago, and I was accepted onto the programme, but I didn't go because of my confidence.
"I am just self-taught and I always do my best with all the food I am but show me a spreadsheet and, woof, that's not my forte.
"That is why me and Andrea work so well together, we are a good partnership."
For Fiona, co-owning Food@broadway is an extension of her love for Cumbria produce, and discussed how she and Andrea ensure that their business supports local suppliers.
She said: "Everything we do is homemade. On the estate we have got McDonalds and I just like a more fresh approach.
"We use local butchers for our sausage and any other meats we require; we use a local cheese guy and get our eggs locally.
"We try to give small producers a bit of money and keep that money in Cumbria and stop it going to the ugger corporations
