Welcome to the first of our annual Observer Food Monthly Awards, in association with Waitrose. Since the first issue back in 2001, we have looked at food and drink from its widest possible perspective; whether it's an exclusive interview with one of the world's more controversial chefs, exposing the truth about what we put in our mouths, or simply revealing the way to roast the perfect chicken. We know from your letters and emails that you are as passionate about food as we are, and so now we're asking you to tell us what, where and who is worthy of one of our awards. Is there a shop, market or restaurant that has really impressed you over the last 12 months? Is there somewhere or someone you think deserves to be recognised? Voting will be over the next three issues of OFM, and we'll publish the results in the New Year.
So, fill in any of the categories you like, including the name of the town or city. Awards will be given on a regional and national basis and every entry will be entered into a draw to win one of three Le Creuset Royal Blue sets of cookware. There are many people doing great things in the food world, please don't let them go unsung.
The Judges
Each judge will oversee one category and will vote for three separate special awards. Our top panel includes Gordon Ramsay, Ruth Rogers, Nigel Slater, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, The Observer's restaurant critic Jay Rayner, Craig Samms of the Soil Association, Angela Megson, director of buying at Waitrose, Nicola Jeal and Caroline Boucher of OFM
The categories
Eating out
1 Best cheap eats (under £20 per head)
This could be anything from a fantastic greasy spoon, to a great value gastropub. If you can eat the most delicious food, for under £20 (excluding booze) then vote for it.
2 Best restaurant (£20 plus per head)
Whether it's somewhere you visit every week, or a place you'd only go to on very special occasions, what we're most interested in is what you think is the best restaurant in the UK (£20 plus without wine).
3 Best Sunday lunch
Whether it's a classic roast at your local pub, a fry-up, or a Michelin-starred restaurant, we want to know your favourite place to eat lunch on a Sunday.
4 Best place to drink
It could be a pub, a hotel bar or a club - tell us your favourite watering hole.
Shopping
5 Best food market
It could be a weekly or daily market or a specialist farmers' market.
6 Best independent food retailer
From specialist cheesemongers to butchers, bakers, and fishmongers - we want to know about the smaller food retailers that provide the best produce. This could even be a stand at a farmers' market, or your local deli.
7 Best organic product
What is the one organic food or drink brand you rate above all others?
Other foodie interests
8 Best food and/or drink book
From recipe books and exposes of the food industry, to chefs' memoirs and fiction with a foodie theme name your favourite food/drink book in the last year.
9 Best food and/or drink programme
It could be a documentary, a cookery show or any TV or radio programme related to food or drink, over the last 12 months. Name your favourite.
