The Norfolk magazine Food and Drink Awards, in association with the Eastern Daily Press, are back!
Norfolk has an excellent reputation for its food and drink businesses. From single-ingredient specialists to restaurants offering inspired menus, the county is a food and drink hot-spot.
We are proud to be celebrating the very best in food and drink in Norfolk with the relaunch of our first Norfolk Food and Drink Awards since the pandemic.
After all the challenges of the last few years we are keen to champion and highlight the achievements of the people across the county who are serving us outstanding food and drink in wonderful settings.
Now it is over to you – to nominate your favourites. It is your chance to shine a light on Norfolk’s food heroes and heroines, name the people and businesses that have thrived and survived, made a difference and added to the fabulous flavour of our county.
We are working with Bread Hospitality, which is a great supporter of the awards and of celebrating the food and drink sector in Norfolk.
We would also like to thank our category sponsors including Bread Source, Brasted's, Castlemeadow Care, The Gin Trap Inn, The Gunton Arms and Hotel School at City College Norwich.
We have 11 categories open for entries, covering everything from Chef of the Year to Best Coffee Shop or Cafe, and from Pub or Bar of the Year to the Field to Fork award, and will be accepting entries from businesses, as well as nominations from customers.
Entries will remain open until midnight on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Judging will then commence, with two judges per category going out to complete organised meetings, or unannounced visits. They will judge against set criteria to determine the finalists.
The winners will be announced at the 2023 Norfolk Food Awards event at Yalm in the Royal Arcade, Norwich, on Monday, September 18.
Please visit norfolkfada.co.uk to nominate your favourites for the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards.
PUB OR BAR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Gin Trap Inn
Nominations will be accepted for pubs and bars across Norfolk that have created a high-quality offering for their customers.
Bars, traditional drinking pubs and those that have built a reputation for their restaurant and/or bar menu will be considered for this award.
Common to all finalists will be great standards of customer service and understanding of the market, technical expertise in sourcing a good range and standard of drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – plus a sense of character that makes a visit to these pubs or bars an enjoyable experience.
BEST COFFEE SHOP OR CAFÉ
Sponsored by Castlemeadow Care
The judges will look for the coffee shop/café in Norfolk that is able to create an outstanding customer experience – a warm welcome, high-quality tea and/or coffee plus a range of other drinks, tasty food made from fresh, local produce, all served with an excellent level of customer service.
Judges will be impressed by a relaxed, comfortable ambience, originality, an imaginative menu and aspects that make the café or tea shop special.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Nominations will be accepted for restaurants across Norfolk that have the ability to create an excellent dining experience from the ambience to the service, with a varied menu using local, fresh produce, and outstanding customer service.
BEST NORFOLK PRODUCER
This award recognises the fantastic food and drink products being created within the county.
Judges will be looking for a first-class product that demonstrates the manufacturer’s flair for creating, developing and delivering a distinctive, successful and respected item, either as a stand-alone or as part of its brand.
The product must be made in Norfolk, although it is not essential that every ingredient is sourced from within the county’s borders.
CHEF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Gunton Arms
This prestigious award is open to chefs who are currently working within the Norfolk food and drink industry. Competitors may come from all areas of the hospitality business, including hotels, restaurants, pubs, contract catering, fine dining, and the private and public sector.
The chef will recognise the close link between creating fine food and using the best of local produce. Customers, businesses and chefs can nominate for this category. Chefs will be contacted to submit a formal entry.
FRONT OF HOUSE EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by Brasted’s
The judges will be looking for a level of front of house provision that makes a truly enjoyable visit to the restaurant, café or pub.
A warm welcome, understanding and anticipating customers’ needs, good knowledge of menus, dishes and provenance of ingredients will be expected, as well as a personable approach that complements the establishment and really enhances the visit.
This category seeks to recognise an often overlooked yet extremely important sector of the industry.
FOOD AND DRINK RETAILER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises retailers who combine vision, a passion for high quality and fresh local produce.
Marks will be awarded for well laid-out shops that offer a wide variety of great products, and for staff who demonstrate memorable standards of customer care, product knowledge and service.
Judges will be looking for innovation in products and presentation, as well as any added facilities the retailer has to offer.
This category is open to farm shops, markets and retailers.
BEST NEWCOMER
Sponsored by Bread Source
This award is open to any business or individual that has started a food and/or drink venture in the last three years.
The judges will be looking for an outstanding early-stage business that is already a success story or shows promise to become one.
The winner will be able to demonstrate a pioneering approach, strong performance over the past year, as well as the potential to flourish and be sustainable.
Among the qualities the judges will be looking for are a dedicated effort to drive the business forward, potential and vision.
STREET FOOD VENDOR
This award is open to street food vendors offering sweet treats, savoury snacks or takeaway meals.
Vendors eligible for this award should be based in Norfolk, and attend markets, fairs, events and shows.
The judges will be impressed with a high-quality offering, enticing menu, the use of local produce and affordable pricing.
FIELD TO FORK
Sponsored by Hotel School at City College Norwich
Judges are looking for individuals or businesses with the ability and vision to grow food or drink produce in this region.
These are growers and producers who are passionate about what they do and who have the talent and skill to grow, develop and market outstanding and commercially scalable food or drink produce.
They also need to show environmental credentials and demonstrate contribution to the local community.
FOOD/DRINK EXPERIENCE
Judges are looking for the very best food/drink experience in Norfolk, for example this could include farmers’ markets, themed food events or themed menu experiences.
The winner could be an experience that has been successfully running for years, or a brand-new food/drink experience that is seen to be a great success to date. Judges will also want to hear about future plans.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award will recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the county’s food and drink sector.
The winner could come from any part of the industry – a grower, cook, restaurateur, retailer, educator or local food and drink champion.
This is a non-entry category and the judges will select someone who is an expert in their field, has a proven track record, inspires colleagues, educates and sets standards that others aim to attain.
Get your nominations in by midnight on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at norfolkfada.co.uk
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