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Last week I gathered with Journalists, Foodies, Bar and Restaurant owners, Bloggers and Sponsors at the Nottingham Contemporary last week to launch the 2018 Nottinghamshire Food & Drink Awards.
Now in its fourth year, it offers the chance to vote for your favourite places to eat and drink. The prestigious awards have grown bigger each year and now have 14 categories which celebrate both city centre venues and out of town eateries.
The launch has been held at The Malt Cross for the last couple of years. The change of venue allowed for big-screen projections of previous award ceremonies and this year's categories as well as providing plenty of space for guests to mingle.
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A complimentary beer was enjoyed by all to get the celebrations well underway. Guests were also treated to a selection of savoury and sweet canapes.
A speech was given by Nottingham Post editor, Mike Sassi who talked of the great hospitality offered in Nottingham and the popularity of the awards which are staged by the Post.
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Speeches were also given by Patrick Wood from local sponsor, Solicitors, Fraser Brown and also the winner of last year's outstanding service award, Steven Scott Kaye, owner of The Footman's Rest, the English Tea Saloon and Wine Bar in Canning Circus.
The awards are great publicity for finalists, so if you think your favourite pub deserves recognition or you want to say thank you to that venue that made your occasion special, now is the time to get voting
Anyone can enter whether you're a customer or the business owner themselves. Nominations will close on April 26. A panel of foodie experts will draw up a shortlist of finalists, which will then be visited by mystery judges.
Categories you can vote for are;
Best New Venue
Best Asian
Best Cafe/Express
Best Young Chef
Outstanding Service Award
Best Indian
Best Drinks Venue
Best International Award
Best Public House
Best Out Of Town
Fine Dining Award
Best Overall.
The Imogen Skirving Memorial Award is a tribute to the much-loved restaurateur, this will be awarded for outstanding achievement and dedication to the local food and drink industry and will be selected by a panel of judges.
In previous years the award ceremony itself has been presented by Greg Wallace and Jay Raynor. This year comedian Joel Dommett will be looking after proceedings at a glitzy ceremony at East Midlands Conference Centre on June 14.
"Love T xx