Celebrated chef and founder of Bay Tree Cookery CIC, Michelle O’Dwyer, is named Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026 with other women in business also recognised. Tony McDonough reports
Since founding Bay Tree Cookery CIC Michelle O’Dwyer has worked tirelessly to combat food waste, tackle poverty, and help individuals in high-deprivation areas build nutrition and cooking skills.
And her efforts have now been recognised after she was named Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026. The accolade was presented to Michelle by headline sponsors, Rathbones, at the ceremony at the Crowne Plaza close to Liverpool waterfront.
Noted by the judges was her unwavering commitment to eradicating hunger and fostering inclusivity through pioneering solutions such as recipe kits with virtual cookery classes.
She has enabled people to not only develop practical skills and connect with others, but also created welcoming spaces for diverse groups and promoted celebration, dignity, and inclusion by allowing people to come together and feel a sense of belonging.
Michelle said: “All the way through the awards there were just so many amazing women and I was so in awe of everything that they’re doing. It was lovely to come together and just celebrate that.
“Then when they called my name out, I have never been so gobsmacked in my life, because everybody in that room was so deserving. There were many women that I’ve worked with who were up for awards, who won awards.”
Awards founding director, Ellie Kerr, added: “Michelle’s work is deeply rooted in her own experience of poverty, homelessness and adversity during her childhood.
“Developing her passion for cooking at an early age, learning from her grandmother while also being responsible for her younger siblings, she has transformed her lived experience into a mission to ensure that – in her own words – ‘no one goes hungry on my watch’.”
Lindsey Kidd from HM3 Legal was named as winner of the Business Leader award, sponsored by McIver Scott Recruitment. and the award for Women in Professional Services, sponsored by Robertson was won by Suzanne Daley, Family Law Partner at Bell Lamb & Joynson.
Lucy Byrne, founder of dot-art, was celebrated as winner of the Arts, Culture & Media award, sponsored by The City of Liverpool College. Lucy established the Liverpool‑based social enterprise to make “art accessible to all”.
The Entrepreneur award, sponsored by FPC, was awarded to Debs Paterson. Debs was recognised for creating a pioneering business that bridges the gap between healthcare and the fitness industry.
Other women from the city region’s business and entrepreneurial community celebrated as finalists at the annual awards ceremony were Caroline Munnelly from Birkdale Insurance Group; Jess Hampson from CEL Solicitors; Jordan Duggan from EFT Group and Julie Griffiths from Caring Connections in the Business Leader category.
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In the Women in Professional Services category, finalists were Georgia Davidson, from SGD Fire Protection; Amanda Martins from MICT Ltd; Jennifer Gallagher from Primas Law and Natalie Dickson, from Hall Brown Family Law.
In the entrepreneur category, finalists were Faye Boswell from Sensified Spaces; Hayley McCaughran from Butterflies Rising; Rachael Parry-Jones from Emporia Marketing & Public Sector Media and Renatta Clerice-Ologbosere, from Ever Present Care.