Welcome to the third annual Observer Food Monthly Awards in association with Waitrose. Last year thousands of you voted for your favourite restaurants, food shops, books and TV programmes, and we'd love to hear about even more of your favourites this year. Let us know about the little deli at the bottom of the road that does the best bresaola you've ever tried, the recipe book full of idiot-proof ideas for the perfect dinner party, or the organic farm shop working hard to provide honest products. Have you been to a restaurant that's served truly amazing food? Or have you sat on a terrace in a rare burst of British sun and enjoyed a good meal while looking at an amazing view? Did you find a hidden gem that serves healthy and inventive food for their more junior clientele? Maybe you know the barman who can make a killer martini? If you do, we want to hear from you - and if previous years are anything to go by, we'll hope to hear from thousands of you. Just fill in the voting form and you'll be automatically entered into a draw to win one of 20 cases of luxury wines.
As always there will be several awards decided upon by our illustrious judging panel - which this year comprises our very own cookery writer Nigel Slater and columnist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, chefs Gordon Ramsay, Giorgio Locatelli and Ruth Rogers, The Observer's restaurant critic Jay Rayner, OFM editor Nicola Jeal and deputy editor Caroline Boucher, along with Christian Cull of our sponsors, Waitrose, and Jeanette Orrery, dinner-lady turned champion of young foodies and previously a winner of our Hall of Fame Award. Each judge will nominate their favourite newcomer this year, one outstanding producer and one body or person they feel has contributed positively and responsibly to the food industry. Then as a group they will decide who is to be commended and awarded.
Our readers and judges alike have great taste: last year's newcomer was the very wonderful Anthony Flinn, whose Leeds restaurant, Anthony's, is still getting rave reviews and a plethora of awards; Heston Blumenthal was awarded his third Michelin star directly after you awarded his Fat Duck restaurant of the year. And Jeanette Orrery credits the OFM award she received two years ago for her subsequent book deal and role as consultant with Jamie Oliver's school dinner revolution. Help us highlight more exceptional contributors to the food industry - last year's winners included Percy's in Devon, which won the best Sunday lunch category, but also turned out to be an exceptional hotel with an organic menu and an enlightened attitude to local ingredients and sustainability. You led us to some great restaurants and producers last year, so let's see what you can do this year.
Vote online at www.observer.co.uk/foodawards.
