It's that time of year again, where we hand over to you to let us know where the best eats, treats and feasts exist. This is our fourth annual Observer Food Monthly Awards in association with Waitrose and we're hoping that this year your entries will point us towards more varied and delicious restaurants and food shops than ever before.
Over 10,000 of you voted for your favourite cheap eats, bars and breakfasts last year and now we're giving you the chance to let everyone know what delights you've stumbled upon in the last 12 months. We've introduced a new category for you to get your teeth into; best vegetarian, so let us know where to go to buy excellent vegetarian ingredients, or restaurants where you can sample the finest in meat-free cuisine.
We want to know about that great little café on the corner that serves the best croissant and coffee you've ever tasted, or the restaurant that's situated in a take-your-breath-away location or the book that's reawakened your foodie desires.
Do you know a cosy pub that serves the best traditional ale? Or perhaps you've a found a gem of a shop that sells great original produce? Where do you go to experience the finest roast beef and Yorkshire pud on a Sunday afternoon? We want to know, and are looking forward to seeing where you'll lead us this year.
As well as the categories that you vote for, our distinguished judging panel will decide upon four awards: the newcomer they are most impressed with; a favourite producer; a person or body who has made the greatest ethical contribution and the outstanding achievement award.
This year our judges include food writer Joanna Blythman, our own cookery expert Nigel Slater, Michelin-starred chefs Ruth Rogers and Giorgio Locatelli, Observer restaurant critic Jay Rayner, OFM editor Nicola Jeal and deputy editor Caroline Boucher along with chef Tom Conran.
Last year, you and the judges commended some truly exceptional people and places all of whom were thrilled to have an OFM Food Award: Bill Collison of Bill's Produce Store, an amazing cafe and greengrocers in Brighton, was delighted with his judges' award for best newcomer: 'Everyone at Bill's works really hard and we're all really proud of the store so for judges of that calibre to say you're the best is just fantastic.'
1 Best cheap eats (under £15 per head)
This could be anything from a sandwich bar to your local Thai: if you can eat delicious food for under £15 (excluding booze) then vote for it.
2 Best restaurant
Whether it's somewhere you visit every week, or the perfect place for that special occasion, vote for the best restaurant in the UK.
3. Best Sunday lunch
We want to know your favourite place to eat lunch on a Sunday - whether it's a classic roast at your local pub, or a Michelin-starred restaurant.
4. Best place to drink
Whether it's your local boozer, a beautiful country pub, or stylish bar with the best mojitos tell us where you'd grab the perfect beverage.
5. Best breakfast
It could be your local café for a great fry-up, or an all-day restaurant that serves the perfect eggs Benedict.
6. Best local independent shop
From specialist cheesemongers to butchers, bakers and fishmongers.
7. Best location
Whether it's on a rooftop high above the city, or set within beautiful, remote countryside tell us where you think is the best located restaurant in the United Kingdom.
8. Best new book (food and drink)
From recipe books and exposés of the food industry, to chefs' memoirs and fiction with a foodie theme, tell us your favourite food/drink book that's been published in the last 12 months.
9. Best food TV programme
Whether it was kitchen catastrophes, farmyard antics, or a brilliant cookery show, tell us what turned you on in 2006.
10. Best for vegetarians
Either a vegetarian specialist or somewhere placing equal emphasis on the variety and quality of their non-carnivorous offerings, no more pasta with tomato sauce!
11. Judge-voted categories
Outstanding achievement
Best newcomer
Best producer
Ethical contribution
