Norfolk & Suffolk Magazine Food and Drink awards open for entries
From secluded farm shops and seaside cafes to bustling street food stalls and fine dining restaurants, our region is renowned for offering some truly unforgettable food and drink.
For the first time, the Food and Drink Awards are bringing the two counties together and welcoming entries and nominations from people and businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk that work to create outstanding dishes, champion local produce and provide first-class experiences.
This year, we are working with Bread Hospitality, which is a great supporter of the awards and of Norfolk and Suffolk food and drink.
We have 11 categories, 10 of which are open for entries and nominations, and we want to hear from you – do you have a favourite restaurant or café? Or perhaps a local food or drink product, street food item or specialist food producer that you want more people to know about? Now is your chance to let us know!
Thank you to our headline sponsor Alliance East Anglia, as well as all our category sponsors – Small Beer Wholesale, Castlemeadow Care, Hotel School at City College Norwich, Flour & Bean and Sizewell C. Support from these sponsors helps us make these awards the best they can be.
The Norfolk & Suffolk Magazine Food and Drink Awards will celebrate delicious dishes from across the two counties (Image: Matthew Potter Photography and Videography)
Entries will remain open until Sunday, July 6 at midnight, when judging will commence. The winners will then be announced at a glittering ceremony on Monday, October 20 at The Forum in Norwich.
Visit norfolksuffolkfada.co.uk to submit your entries and nominations, and read on to find out more about our categories.
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This non-entry category recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Norfolk and Suffolk's food and drink sector.
A panel of judges with a range of industry knowledge will select the winner, who could come from any part of the industry – a grower, producer, cook, restauranteur, retailer, educator or local food and drink champion.
The judges will select someone who is an expert in their field, has a proven track record, inspires colleagues, educates and sets standards that others aim to attain.
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Bars, traditional drinking pubs and establishments that have built a reputation for their restaurant and/or bar menu will be considered for this award.
The judges will be looking for great standards of customer service and understanding of a business' market, and entrants should provide a good range and standard of drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
A sense of character that makes a visit to these places a fun, well-rounded experience will also be considered, as will inclusivity and engagement with the community.
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The judges will be looking for a food or drink vendor offering exceptional products, whether it's artisanal coffee, indulgent desserts, handcrafted beverages or delicious street-style meals.
Eligible businesses should be based in Norfolk or Suffolk and regularly attend markets, fairs, events and shows.
The judges will be impressed with high-quality offerings, an enticing menu, a commitment to local produce and accessible, competitive pricing.
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An increasing number of us are becoming aware of the benefits of local, homegrown food, and that's why the Field to Fork category will acknowledge individuals or businesses with the ability and vision to grow food or drink produce in this region.
These are growers and producers who are passionate about what they do and who have the talent and skill to grow, develop and market outstanding and commercially scalable food or drink produce.
Entrants also need to show environmental credentials and demonstrate a contribution to the local community.
The Norfolk & Suffolk Magazine Food and Drink Awards ceremony will take place on October 20 (Image: Matthew Potter Photography and Videography)
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This award is open to any business or individual that has started a food and/or drink venture in the last three years (since April 2022) and has already become a success story or shows promise to become one; this could be a restaurant, pub, producer, café, bakery or even a new catering business.
The winner will be a company that is able to demonstrate a pioneering approach, strong performance over the past year, as well as the potential to flourish and be sustainable.
Among the qualities the judges will be looking for are a dedicated effort to drive the business forward, potential and vision.
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This prestigious award is open to chefs of any level who are currently working within Norfolk and Suffolk's food and drink industry.
Readers, businesses and chefs can nominate, and chefs will then be contacted to submit a formal entry.
Competitors may come from all areas of the hospitality business, including hotels, restaurants, pubs, contract catering, fine dining, private and public sectors.
The judges will be looking for individuals that recognise the close link of fine food with using the best of local produce, demonstrating a talent for producing outstanding dishes with a personal flair.
For this category, the judges are looking for a coffee shop/café in Norfolk and Suffolk which is able to create an outstanding customer experience.
This should include a warm welcome, high-quality tea and/or coffee plus a range of other drinks, tasty food made from fresh, local produce, all served with an excellent level of customer service.
Judges will be impressed by a relaxed, comfortable ambience, originality, an imaginative menu and aspects which make the café or coffee shop special.
Heydon Village Tea Room won last year's Best Coffee Shop/Cafe award (Image: Matthew Potter Photography and Videography)
For the prestigious title of 2025's Restaurant of the Year, nominations will be accepted for restaurants across Norfolk and Suffolk that create an incomparable dining experience, from ambience to the service.
Perhaps most importantly, their menu will be varied, using fresh local produce and be served with an excellent level of customer service.
This category seeks to recognise an often overlooked yet extremely important sector of the hospitality industry – the front of house experience.
The judges will be looking for the level of front of house provision that makes a truly enjoyable visit to a restaurant, café or pub.
Entrants should show evidence of a warm welcome, understanding and anticipation of customers' needs and a good knowledge of menus, dishes and provenance, as well as a personable approach that complements the establishment and really enhances the visit.
The Farm Shop of the Year award judges will be looking for a standout Norfolk or Suffolk farm shop that offers an exceptional selection of locally-sourced, high-quality produce while creating a welcoming and engaging customer experience.
This category celebrates businesses that champion sustainability, support farmers, and bring fresh, seasonal ingredients to their community.
The Steam Packet pub in Norwich won Restaurant of the Year in 2024 (Image: Matthew Potter Photography and Videography)
Eligible farm shops should be based in Norfolk or Suffolk, providing a diverse range of products – from fresh fruit and vegetables to artisanal cheeses, baked goods, meats, and homemade specialties.
This award will honour food and drink businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk that deliver a truly unique and exceptional experience where creativity, craftsmanship and personalisation set them apart.
The category celebrates a wide range of exceptional food ventures, including occasion bakers, cake designers, grazing board specialists and bespoke catering services.
From handcrafted celebration cakes to beautifully curated grazing experiences and tailored menus that reflect specific dietary needs or cultural influences, these businesses offer more than just food – they create moments of delight and personal connection.
Be sure to get your entries and nominations in by Sunday, July 6, 2025, at
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