Michelle O’Dwyer, celebrated chef and founder of Bay Tree Cookery CIC, has been named the Merseyside Woman of the Year 2026.
Recognised for her unwavering commitment to eradicating hunger and fostering inclusivity through pioneering solutions such as recipe kits with virtual cookery classes, Michelle has enabled people to develop practical skills and connect with others.
The ‘Woman of the Year’ award was presented to Michelle by headline sponsors, Rathbones, at the annual ceremony at the Crowne Plaza on Friday, 26th June 2026. Michelle was one of 13 winners revealed at this year’s MWOTY awards, celebrated across a range of categories for supporting and improving lives across Merseyside.
Reflections from the Headline Winner and Directors
Receiving the award Michelle said:
“All the way through the awards there was just so many amazing women and I was so in awe of everything that they’re doing.
“Then when they called my name out, I have never been so gobsmacked in my life. My students, my volunteers, they believe in me so much.
“I think of when I was at my lowest and struggled with depression and so many other things. If it wasn’t for organisations and people and community just helping me, I wouldn’t be here today and that’s what drives me. I’m just paying it forward.”
MWOTY Founding Director, Ellie Kerr, said:
“Michelle’s work is deeply rooted in her own experience of poverty, homelessness and adversity during her childhood.
“She has transformed her lived experience into a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry on her watch.
“Since 2010, she has remained focused on that mission and has touched thousands of lives. In 2016, Michelle hosted her first Christmas Day dinner to combat festive loneliness, welcoming 60 people.
“The event hosted more than 270 people in 2025. This year marks the event’s 10th anniversary, and a large celebration is planned.”
Summary of Category Winners and Finalists
The remaining categories highlighted leaders operating across a variety of crucial sectors. Jude McMaster won the Social Impact award for founding Pearl’s Project, supporting women involved in the sex industry facing trauma and social exclusion, with Kate Silcock and Michelle O’Dwyer as finalists.
Suzanne Daley of Bell Lamb & Joynson won the Women in Professional Services award for her support of the Owen McVeigh charity, ahead of finalists Georgia Davidson, Amanda Martins, Jennifer Gallagher, and Natalie Dickson.
Lucy Byrne won the Arts, Culture & Media award for founding dot-art, a social enterprise making art accessible, with Chantelle Joseph and Dr Cristina-Steliana Mihailovici as finalists.
The Inspirational Women award was won by Sharon Munroe for founding Equilibrium Northwest CIC at the Livingstone Street Community Centre, with Farida Laeeq BEM and Becca Lennox as finalists.
The Women of Courage award saw joint winners in Hayley Smith, founder of Northwest HIV Support CIC, and Leanne Lucas, survivor of the 2024 Southport attack and founder of Let’s Be Blunt CIC.
The Fellowship Award was presented to community development worker and social impact leader Saba Ahmed for her work at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre and L8 A Better Place.
Gillian Watkins, co-founder of An Hour For Others, was named Community Leader, with Karen Blair and Dr Karen Groves MBE as finalists.
Liverpool Feds W.F.C. won the Women’s Group award, led voluntarily for 36 years by Janie Moore and Sue Carmichael, ahead of RASA Merseyside and Tomorrow’s Women.
Debs Paterson won the Entrepreneur category for Pilates by Physio, beating finalists Faye Boswell, Hayley McCaughran, Rachael Parry-Jones, and Renatta Clerice-Ologbosere. Dr Deb Faint MBE won for Women Making a Difference as leader of Brownlow Health’s Homeless Team, ahead of Anu Omideyi, Jodi Whitehouse, and Gail Rickett.
Finally, Lindsey Kidd from HM3 Legal won the Business Leader award, with Caroline Munnelly, Jess Hampson, Jordan Duggan, and Julie Griffiths as finalists.
Full information on all winners can be found here.
The awards will return on Friday 25th June 2027, with nominations opening in January.
