At MYA, we’re always proud to see our team applying their talents in new and unexpected places, and this time, it’s Creative Director George Panks who’s taken his eye for detail and flavour into the heart of Gloucestershire’s vibrant food scene.
When he’s not guiding high-impact design work for clients across the globe, George moonlights as one half of @cotswold_food_bloggers, the local Instagram account he runs with his wife, Stef. And this June, their passion for great food and drink didn’t just get them a table at some of the county’s best eateries. It landed them a trophy.
Now in its third year, the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards celebrates the best of the region’s food and drink. From neighbourhood bakeries to high-end dining, it champions the energy, care and creativity of an industry that’s all too often taken for granted. Launched by entrepreneurs Jonathan and Cathy Smith with one clear aim, to create the type of awards night they wished all awards ceremonies were like. The event has grown fast, drawing national attention and the likes of Michelin-starred TV chef John Burton-Race.
George and Stef joined the judging panel last year and again in 2025, reviewing categories from Best Burger to Best Coffee Shop. As judges, they’ve criss-crossed the county tasting, talking and championing independents. All while using their platform to promote and boost visibility for fabulous local businesses.
So it was something of a plot twist when, mid-ceremony, the spotlight turned their way. In recognition of their contribution to Gloucestershire’s food scene and their commitment to grassroots hospitality, the pair were awarded this year’s coveted “Foodie Award.”
“It came as a complete surprise,” George says. “We love nothing more than shouting about great independent businesses, and this has been a way of giving something back to the industry that shaped us. The awards give us constant inspiration, for the blog, yes, but also for my work at MYA. We’re always advising clients to think differently, to innovate, to adapt ,and being out there, seeing first-hand what’s working (and what’s not) helps us keep our advice grounded and relevant.”
At MYA, we believe that creativity doesn’t clock off. What our team do outside of work is often just as important as what happens in their working day. George’s foodie adventures are a perfect example of crossover in action.
To follow their journey, head over to @cotswold_food_bloggers
Or explore this year’s winners and more at: www.gloucestershirefoodieawards.co.uk
Because good food is serious business — and good advice tastes better with a side of chips.
