Cambridge News and Media is looking forward to hosting the 2017 round of their annual Cambridge Food and Drink Awards.
The ceremony has been held since 2013, making this the fifth time local eateries will be rewarded for their hard efforts in the area.
2017 awards begin!
The Cambridge food and drink scene has been flourishing over the years since the awards begun. Now citizens and readers of the newspaper are invited to nominate their favourite candidates in 10 different categories across the board.
The awards are run in conjunction with the Cambridge Magazine, and The Cambridge Roar, a festival which raises funds for a number of charities in the local area. These include the East Anglian Air Amblance, Arthur Rank city hospice, and Cambridge United Community Trust.
In 2015, more than 500 different businesses were nominated for the awards – which is a sure sign of the thriving foodie community. When the voting period is over, the three businesses (or individuals) who receive the most nominations will be put onto the shortlist. Then a panel of expert judges takes over to pick out the winners from the crop.
The winners will be announced on August 3 at an afternoon tea party in the facilities of the Quy Mill Hotel and Spa.
Any food company which operates within Cambridge and the surrounding towns and villages will be eligible for nominations, so long as they fit within one of the chosen categories. Nominations close on July 6, so if you are a local resident, now is the time to get your nominations in and recognise those who are doing good work at their food jobs in your community.
The categories are…
The categories have now been announced, and they are as follows:
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Producer of the year: recognising producers on all scales, from cottage industry to large-scale manufacturers. This category applies to all producers, whether they are growing fruit and veg, brewing their own drinks, baking bread or cakes, or so on.
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Farm shop or deli of the year: looking for places that offer high-quality products in a welcoming atmosphere to make the weekly shop a pleasure.
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Pub or bar of the year: all pubs and bars are eligible, no matter what their theme or style. Good vibes and excellent drinks are essential.
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Tearoom or coffee shop of the year: this is one of the most hotly contested categories with a large number of cafes and tearooms setting up around Cambridge since the awards began.
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Street food or pop-up of the year: while these businesses may find it harder to reach a large amount of customers, they can do a lot of custom in a short space of time. Whether it’s an ice cream van, a burger truck, or a temporary indie venture, it’s eligible.
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Takeaway of the year: the priority for this category is quality. Judges are looking for not the average takeaway grub, but more of a perennial favourite which delivers the best.
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Best newcomer: whatever they’re doing, if they’re new, the category is open to them.
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Restaurant of the year: in a city which can boast a Michelin star, it’s time to see which of the restaurants in Cambridge really are best.
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Chef of the year: here’s a chance to celebrate the best chef jobs in Cambridge, those who are making their mark behind the scenes.
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Food and drink hero: finally, this award is about someone who is absolutely outstanding at what they do. They can work anywhere within the food and drink industry, but what is important is that they deliver excellence.
The awards are sure to be a big hit, so watch out for the results in August.
