The awards celebrate the best of the British food industry, and in a year when the industry continues to undergo change, OFM editor, Allan Jenkins, encourages readers to nominate those that put food first.
He said: "In the 10 years that OFM has been reporting on the food industry rarely have we seen a time as turbulent as this. Organics are in retreat, supermarkets are still strangling farmers and businessmen are becoming billionaires by betting on wheat and rice prices. We are proud the awards celebrate the people challenging our eating and shopping habits, those that appreciate the value of food. I hope our readers think hard about who they nominate for an award and I am sure, as ever, the entries will demonstrate innovation and excellence in the field of food and drink."
The categories for this year's awards are:
• Best ethical restaurant (sponsored by Cafédirect)
• Best independent local retailer
• Best food blog
• Best restaurant
• Best cheap eats
• Best cookbook (sponsored by Harvey Jones)
• Best place to drink
• Best Sunday lunch
• Reader's recipe (sponsored by Bordeaux Wines)
• Reader's cocktail
• Food personality (sponsored by Weber)
Readers who nominate will have the chance of winning a range of prizes. For information and to nominate your favourite foodies visit: www.observer.co.uk/foodawards. The deadline for entries is Friday 24 June 2011.
This year's judging panel includes: Nigel Slater, Observer food writer and chef; Jay Rayner, Observer food critic; Angela Hartnett, chef; Sat Bains, chef and restaurateur; Jason Atherton, chef; Thomasina Miers, chef and restaurateur; Jo Barnes; co-founder of Sauce PR; Lucy Siegle, broadcaster and ethical living correspondent, The Observer; Tim Hayward, food writer and broadcaster; Allan Jenkins, editor, OFM; and Gareth Grundy, deputy editor, OFM.
