It’s that time again – the renowned Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards are back and we are looking forward to celebrating with the region’s finest. But first we need your help, who are your favourite food and drink businesses?

The awards, to be held at Cheltenham Racecourse on July 6, will champion and highlight the fantastic food and drink businesses in our region.

From local tea shops to pubs, sustainable food & drink businesses to restaurants, we want you to nominate your favourites.

We have a range of categories to represent the wealth of food & drink businesses in the Cotswolds and we want to know who is challenging the norm? Who is championing local? We want to recognise these businesses for what they are doing and the positive impact they are making.

Nominations are open now and close April 10, 2020. Head to foodawards.cotswoldlife.co.uk to have your say in the 2020 awards.

Newcomer of the Year

This category is open to anyone in the food or drink industry who has started a new venture within the last 18 months. We want to know what impact they have made on the local community and whether they have started to achieve any success further afield. Are they helping to promote Cotswold food and drink to a new audience?

Local Tea/Coffee Shop of the Year

We recognise that tea and coffee shops are an integral part of the Cotswold food and drink scene and we'd like to know your favourites. Is there a good selection of coffees and loose leaf teas to hand? Are the scones freshly baked and served with local jams? We're looking forward to hearing about your favourites.

Best Independent Retailer

This is your chance to nominate your local food shop. Shout about your favourite butcher, deli, baker or food retailer who deserves this accolade. Look out for establishments that supply products produced and grown here in the Cotswolds. This retailer must have a genuine passion for our Cotswold food scene and a dedication to what it means for the local community.

Best Farm Shop

The key to a good farm shop is not only the range of produce and the layout, but also the principles that it supports. Does your local farm shop offer a box scheme? Is most of the produce sold, grown and raised on that farm and if not would the owner be able to tell you where it is from? Are the staff friendly and knowledgeable and would you choose it over your supermarket? We hope so!

Food Product of the Year

Today's Cotswold food culture is a really competitive one with consumers demanding top quality products. This category gives you a chance to nominate a food product, made by a Cotswold farmer, producer, retailer or manufacturer. Think about a product you trust or one whose packaging you value and understand more than any other.

Drinks Product of the Year

This is your opportunity to nominate your favourite drinks product that made is a Cotswold farmer, producer, retailer or manufacturer. Consider the taste, indulgence and if the product is value for money. Does the packaging clearly state it is from the Cotswolds and what entices you to purchase the product?

Best Local Supplier/Producer

This category celebrates our local suppliers and producers that play such a vital role in the food community. We are looking for an individual or company that consistently provides reliable, quality products to their customers. We want to know why they go the extra mile for you and what they bring to your meals.

Best Cotswold Pub

This category combines traditional country drinking pubs and those recognised as dining pubs. The whole experience needs to be taken into account for this category. Customer service, value for money and the quality of the food and drink should all be accounted for. How well does the establishment use and name local suppliers and do they clearly understand their market?

Sustainability Initiative of the Year

This award recognises businesses that implement sustainable practices and recognise the importance of their impact on the environment. We're looking for businesses that have reduced their impact on the environment through a specific initiative or who can demonstrate a long-term sustainability improvement. Has your local café ditched disposable coffee cups or your favourite restaurant only serving seasonal produce?

Customer Service Award

This category is on the hunt for an outstanding level of service that makes for a truly enjoyable visit to the food and drink venue. The ability to understand and anticipate customer's needs, good knowledge of menus, and dishes, provenance of ingredients and of familiarity of drinks will all be taken in to account. A personable approach that complements the establishment and enhances the visit is key.

Restaurant of the Year

This category is one of our most coveted awards, the Cotswold Life Restaurant of the Year needs to offer an incomparable dining experience, everything from the ambience to the service and most importantly the food. Do they use locally sourced ingredients where possible? Look through their wine list, do they have local as well as international wines and champagnes and can the staff tell you more if you ask? We'd expect nothing less from the future Restaurant of the Year.

Chef of the Year

The Cotswolds is filled with talented chefs who make up the fantastic array of restaurants we have here. The Chef of the Year will be someone who has devoted him or herself to the cause of serving the best possible food. They will display fantastic technical ability, use a wide range of seasonal ingredients, present food in a striking manor and have an understanding of how flavours work together.

2020 Cotswold Food & Drink Hero

The Cotswolds has a food and drink scene which is more vibrant than many others across the UK. This category celebrates the individual who has made the most impact on the community. They will be someone who goes the extra mile to promote the Cotswolds to a wider audience and is passionate about local produce throughout. Now is your chance to tell us who you feel deserves this accolade.

How to nominate

Visit foodawards.cotswoldlife.co.uk to nominate in any or all of the categories. Nominations close at midday, Friday April 10, 2020