A village cafe is celebrating after reaching the finals of a competition to find the best coffee in the country.
Mark and Julie Bedford, who opened their cafe, Prendi Cucina Italiana, in Marsden near Huddersfield in July 2024, have reached the finals in the UK Italian Awards 2026 in two categories – Best Restaurant in Yorkshire, and the Best Coffee in the country.
Mark, who shares a love of Italian cuisine and culture with his wife, said they were delighted to reach reach the finals alongside a handful of other businesses.
“We have been overwhelmed by the huge response from our customers, whose votes have taken us to the grand final” said Mark, who is originally from Manchester.
“To have this amazing support from the public has been truly heart warming. We are trying to create an authentic Italian food experience here in Marsden and out regular menu and changing specials board aims to showcase popular favourites and more unusual dishes that you may not find outside Italy.
Pistachio and almond biscotti from Prendi Cucina Italiana, Marsden -Credit:Prendi Cucina Italiana
“To be recognised and to be included as a finalist in such a prestigious award is a real honour. We now have to impress the judges when they visit Prendi, and hope that we have done enough to win.
“The announcement (of winners) takes place at an award ceremony in London on March 30.”
Mark told Yorkshire Live about the cafe’s expansion plans, which will see the creation of indoor seating in a small unit beside the existing cabin on Station Road.
The new unit will have four tables and there will be space for around nine people.
Mark and Julie have also launched a three-course Italian supper club at the local Parochial Hall in Marsden. Tickets for the event quickly sold out. Julie helped turn the hall into an Italian-style bistro, he added. The next supper club is planned for April.
Mark said Marsden continued to attract visitors from all over, and not just Huddersfield. He has noticed a recent increase in visitors from Manchester who have been descending on Marsden from trains at weekends.
He said independent businesses in Marsden were working together to encourage people to visit the village and discover the shops as well as the beautiful Pennine landscape.
“It’s such a beautiful place. We have noticed more people coming for a day out.”
Prendi Cucina Italiana is open five days, Wednesday to Sunday.
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Dining and Cooking