Time is running out to nominate your food and drink favourites or enter your business into this year’s Norfolk Food & Drink Awards.

Entry remains open until midnight on Sunday, June 9. After that, the judging process will begin.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to farm shops and small village cafes, Norfolk is home to so many fantastic food and drink businesses alongside producers that are passionate about showcasing the county’s delicious local fare.

Eastern Daily Press: Left to right: Katrina Hirst, Robert Hirst, Amber Barnes and Richard Hirst of Hirst's Farm Shop & Cafe, which one the Food and Drink Retailer of the Year award last yearLeft to right: Katrina Hirst, Robert Hirst, Amber Barnes and Richard Hirst of Hirst's Farm Shop & Cafe, which one the Food and Drink Retailer of the Year award last year (Image: Matthew Potter Photographer and Videographer)

The Norfolk Food & Drink Awards aim to champion the people and businesses across the county that are serving up amazing food and drink, so if you have had enjoyed a meal or locally-made treat recently and want to shout about it, let us know!

We have 11 categories open for entries, recognising businesses large and small, as well as individuals and producers who work hard to put Norfolk’s food and drink on the map.

We also have the Outstanding Achievement Award, which is a non-entry category aiming to recognise someone who has made a significant impact on Norfolk’s food and drink sector. For this category, a panel of judges will meet to deliberate over this year’s deserving recipient.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norfolk Food & Drink Awards aim to recognise the businesses and individuals that work hard to put our county on the foodie mapThe Norfolk Food & Drink Awards aim to recognise the businesses and individuals that work hard to put our county on the foodie map (Image: Matthew Potter Photographer and Videographer)

After the entry deadline, the judges will complete two rounds of rigorous judging.

There are two judges per category, a sponsor judge and an expert from the food and drink industry. During round one, they will assess each application and choose a shortlist of between six and eight categories to go to round two.

The shortlisted businesses and individuals are assessed in one of two ways – an organised meeting where judges will head out to meet with them to find out more, or an unannounced secret shopper style visit, where the judges will have the same experience as a customer before revealing themselves for a meeting after the visit.

The judging process will be completed by the end of July, with the finalists for each category announced on August 23. The winners will be revealed at the Norfolk Food & Drink Awards event at Caistor Hall Hotel, Norwich on Monday, September 16.

Eastern Daily Press: Left to right: Simon Parkes, James Edwards, Nicola Kershaw, Patrick Saunders, Sarah Saunders, Jo Parkes and Leanne Kershaw from Black Shuck Distillery, winner of the Best Norfolk Producer award last yearLeft to right: Simon Parkes, James Edwards, Nicola Kershaw, Patrick Saunders, Sarah Saunders, Jo Parkes and Leanne Kershaw from Black Shuck Distillery, winner of the Best Norfolk Producer award last year (Image: Matthew Potter Photographer and Videographer)

We would like to thank our category sponsors Benedicts, Caistor Hall, Castlemeadow Care, Hotel School at City College Norwich, Jarrolds, Motorvogue DS Store Norwich, Newman Refrigeration and The Gin Trap Inn for their support of this year’s awards.

In addition, our beer partner Woodforde’s Brewery will be supplying its award-winning beer at the awards ceremony, and Booker/Makro is our wine and prosecco supplier for the event.

To find out more about the Norfolk Food & Drink Awards 2024 and to enter and nominate before the deadline of June 9, please visit norfolkfada.co.uk

Categories

Best Coffee Shop/Café

Field to Fork
Sponsored by Hotel School at City College Norwich

Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Motorvogue DS Store Norwich

Best Newcomer

Front of House Experience
Sponsored by Caistor Hall

Pub/Bar of the Year
Sponsored by the Gin Trap Inn

Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Benedicts

Best Norfolk Producer
Sponsored by Jarrolds

Street Food Vendor

Food and Drink Retailer
Sponsored by Newman Refrigeration

Food/Drink Experience
Sponsored by Castlemeadow Care

Outstanding Achievement Award