AWARD CATEGORIES
Enter to win. There are 12 categories in total for you to enter, so really something for everyone.
Restaurant of the Year
The winner of this category will offer all-round excellence, topping the charts with its menu, drinks list, service and venue. It will be distinctive too; setting rather than following culinary trends.
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Chef of the Year
If you know a chef whose menus always delight and never disappoint, this is their category. The top spot will go to someone who’s pushing culinary boundaries, whether innovating with new flavours, textures, techniques or zero-waste menus, and inspiring both diners and the next generation of chefs along the way.
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Pub / Bar of the Year
All pubs and bars are eligible, no matter what their theme or style, but good vibes and excellent drinks are essential. There must be something which sets this venue above the rest, whether it doubles as a community hub or simply serves best-in-class beer.
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Farm Shop/Deli of the Year
We’re looking for stores which sell the highest quality local, seasonal and speciality goods, are staffed by knowledgeable and helpful teams, and provide a welcoming atmosphere too - all of which turns the weekly shop from chore to pleasure.
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Food Producer of the Year
From cottage industries to large-scale manufacturers, this category is open to all producers, whether they are growing fruit and veg, pickling and preserving, baking bread or making cakes. The winner will be driven by both a personal passion and stellar professional standards.
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Food & Drink Hero
The winner of this award will be absolutely outstanding at what they do. Whatever food and drink role they play, what marks them out is the excellence they deliver and their willingness to champion the talents of others as well as their own.
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Street Food / Pop-up of the Year
Open to street food vans, pop-up restaurants and kitchen takeovers, this award will go to a business which brings fun, flair and lots of flavour to the local menu, whether they’re flipping crepes, topping tacos, building Buddha bowls or scooping gelato.
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Tearoom / Coffee Shop of the Year
With our area home to numerous outstanding tearooms, coffee shops and cafes - and more opening every month - this is set to be a hotly contested category. The winner will provide excellent food, drink, service and ambiance.
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Beverage Producer of the Year
This part of the country boasts an increasing number of brilliant drinks businesses, from tea blenders and coffee roasters to gin distillers and wine makers. If there’s a local company you love and return to time and again, now’s the time to raise your glass to them. We’re looking for quality and consistency of product and distinctiveness of brand.
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Hotel of the Year
Whatever its size or style, the hotel that ultimately takes home this award will stand out across the board - offering the very best in terms of food and drink, customer service, decor and ambiance, events programming and community engagement.
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Hospitality Hero
This category shines a light on businesses across the hospitality spectrum. The winner will provide excellent customer service and a unique experience - and will always be evolving and innovating to keep loyal customers engaged and attract new audiences.
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Sustainability Hero
Open to both businesses and individuals, this category celebrates green trail-blazers within the local food industry. Whether they source solely local ingredients to curb food miles, turn leftovers into innovative dishes to combat waste or fuel their ovens via green energy, they are setting standards not only here and now, but for the future.
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