Welcome to the 2009 Essex Food and Drink Awards

The Essex Chronicle Media Group Ltd is delighted to be staging the Essex Food and Drink Awards 2009

Now in their second year, the search is on for the best food and drink Essex has to offer. There are thirteen categories this year ranging from Restaurant of the Year to Best Traditional Pub and Producer of the Year to Best School Food initiative.

These awards celebrate and reward the very best restaurants and food businesses and individuals in their field across a variety of categories. The winners will be setting the standards for others in the industry to aspire to.

There is a real excitement about food and drink in our county and the 2009 Essex Food and Drink Awards will capture some of that excitement and show that right here on our doorstep is the finest quality food and drink available anywhere.

The awards are split into two sections "Public Voting Categories" and "Entry Categories".

• The "Public Voting Categories" need your vote to get them through to the final three in each category. The top three with the most votes in each category are the ones that reach the final judging stage. The Public Voting Categories tab lists all the categories you can vote in.
• The "Entry Categories" are not open to the public vote. Entries are invited from industry professionals, companies and individuals. The judges will make a desk review of the entries they receive against the set criteria and select their short list of 3 finalists in each category. Entry forms, categories and judging criteria are listed under the "Entry Categories" tab.

If you have any questions about any of the rules of voting or entering please contact Anne Pocock, Awards Organiser. Tel: 01245 400877. M: 07872 048299.