Norfolk & Suffolk Magazine Food and Drink awards open for entries
The Norfolk & Suffolk Magazine Food and Drink Awards 2025 are now open for entries and nominations, celebrating the very best food and drink experiences from across the region.
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.
Sponsored by
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.
Sponsored by
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.
Sponsored by
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.
Sponsored by
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)
Sponsored by
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.
Sponsored by
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Caravan park homeowners warn of seller's remorse
When the Reverend Vic Ready bought his first static caravan he was looking for a holiday home on the Norfolk coast that his whole family could enjoy. But Mr Ready, of Sheringham, Norfolk, said his experience of caravan ownership soured as a result of what he claimed was an "unregulated" industry that has left many people "suffering". The caravan park involved rejected any "allegation of wrongdoing" and said it had had a "proud record of extremely satisfied customers". Mr Ready is one of hundreds of caravan owners who have contacted the BBC in the wake of its investigation into the holiday park industry. Mr Ready bought his first caravan in 2013 at Beeston Regis Holiday Park for £26,000 before trading it in, and paying an extra £25,000, for a "nicer caravan in a better position" seven years later. Mr Ready said he then saw his original caravan on sale for £29,000 - a figure that surprised him. Three years later, faced with what he claims were ever-rising ground rents of up to £6,000 per year, the family decided to sell up. He said he was initially offered £8,250 by the park for his caravan. A week later the park agreed to up its offer to £15,000, a sum Mr Ready accepted. But a couple of days later, Mr Ready said he was sent an advert showing the caravan listed for sale by the park at £47,950. "Until you eventually want to sell and leave the site, you don't appreciate how much it's going to cost you and how much you've actually lost," Mr Ready said. "This is a corrupt, unregulated business and it needs to stop," he said. "So many people are suffering." A spokesperson for Beeston Regis Holiday Park said Mr Ready had been a "valued customer" and claimed he was "happy with the deal" when he sold up. The company said the caravan - a Pemberton Abingdon model - eventually sold for £35,000, which included a new 10-year site licence. "Our business, like any other, is subject to constant cost increases, and our pitch fees have to rise to cover these costs," the spokesperson said, adding it strove to "minimise" such rises. "In all businesses which rely on buying and selling, there has to be a profit margin, and – when we buy a caravan, we have to estimate the likely selling price and commit to a purchase price ahead of that," the company said. It added Mr Ready had acquired his second caravan £8,000 below the asking price and said despite having "no obligation to buy the caravan from him" it had done so in "good faith" and had offered "than double the book value". Meet-and-greet users tell of car damage and mystery miles 'My partner can't cope with child abusers on his prison wing' 'Car cloning made me dread the morning post' In 2021, Ipswich-based Paul Burke bought a caravan at the Suffolk Sands site in Felixstowe for £75,000. The caravan was his wife's "happy place", Mr Burke said. But when site fees reached about £7,000 a year, the couple decided to sell up. At first, he tried to sell privately and spoke to an estate agent. "He told me he'd been in the business for 20 years," Mr Burke said. "In that time he'd not sold a single caravan." "Part of the process is the purchasers need to be interviewed by the caravan park," said Mr Burke. "During that process they are persuaded to buy an alternative caravan directly from the park, probably with incentives such as a free year's site fees, or a better location or a slight upgrade." Mr Burke said he felt he had no choice but to sell the caravan directly back to the park for £25,000. "That is a lot of depreciation in three years," he said. "There is pretty much zero protection. This really does need some industry-wide protection." Park Holidays, which owns Suffolk Sands, said it provided buyers with a licence agreement intended to help people make "informed purchasing" decisions. It said the £75,000 purchase price included two years of pitch fees and said those fees were reviewed yearly and "broadly" mirrored the consumer price index. The company said owners can sell privately as long as the prospective buyer passed its "vetting" procedures. It also said while it would seek to "assist" private sales, the park could offer "buying incentives such as favourable finance and free pitch fees" which private sellers could not. A government spokesperson said it was "aware of the difficulties some holiday home owners have experienced and we have strengthened consumer law". Caravan owners felt 'bullied' by holiday parks 'Ripped off' caravan owners start compensation bid Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
North Norfolk café marks 10 years of business with refurb
A café in north Norfolk has been refurbished to celebrate 10 years of business. For the last decade, Camellia Cottage has been in the heart of Sheringham at 1 Station Road. The café was established in 2015, by then 21-year-old Abi Wright, and has continued to offer those local to the seaside town and tourists a range of light bites, cakes and drinks. Customers can enjoy a range of light bites and drinks (Image: Camellia Cottage) To mark the milestone, the café has undergone a stylish refurbishment, which features a new serving counter and bar area. With the temperatures creeping up, the shop's courtyard and back garden, offering additional seating during the upcoming busy summer season, is now open. Donatas Laurinaitis has also joined the team as the café's new manager. "I'm very excited to join this lovely coastal town's vibrant community," he said. The café offers afternoon tea (Image: Camellia Cottage) "I am looking forward to welcoming both locals and holidaymakers for evening drinks." From June 20 to the end of September, customers will be able to enjoy a selection of alcoholic drinks and sharing platters through to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. And for the next 10 weeks, to mark a successful decade of business, the café is hosting a variety of promotions and giveaways.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
TV star and comedian announced as host of EADT Business Awards 2025
Tickets are now on sale for the EADT Business Awards 2025, which will be hosted by a popular TV quizzer and comedian. The awards aim to recognise the very best businesses in the county, with a range of varied categories ensuring a selection of firms are represented in this year's cohort of winners. The judging is now complete and finalists advised - all will be revealed in our special Business Awards supplement in paper on Wednesday, June 25. The winners will be announced at a black-tie event on Thursday, July 10 at Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich, which is also the venue sponsor of the awards. Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich is the venue sponsor of the EADT Business Awards 2025 (Image: Matthew Potter Photography & Videography) The event begins at 6.15pm for the drinks reception, sponsored by East Coast College, and guests will be seated at 7pm. All guests will enjoy a delicious three-course meal, and there will be plenty of opportunities for networking, sharing successes and celebrating the Suffolk business community. The host for this year's EADT Business Awards ceremony will be comedian and 'chaser' on ITV's The Chase, Paul Sinha, who will be entertaining the audience before announcing this year's winners! Sinha began doing stand-up as a break from his studies as a junior doctor, and went on to become both a practising GP and an Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee. The winners of the EADT Business Awards 2024 at the awards ceremony (Image: Matthew Potter Photography & Videography) He combined his experiences on the frontlines of the NHS with his witty observations on life, developing a friendly story-telling comedy style that entertains audiences across the country. Today, Sinha can often be heard on Radio 4 and 5 Live speaking on current affairs and sport on programmes including The News Quiz, Just A Minute, The Now Show, Fighting Talk and Yes It's The Ashes. Sinha also wrote and hosted his own documentary for Radio 4, The Sinha Test, which explores the relationship between sport and nationality. He also hosted the Olympics-themed The Sinha Games and History Revision, and has appeared on QI, Would I Lie to You? and ITV4's Football Genius. A passionate quizzer, Sinha has appeared on several quiz shows, mostly notably on The Chase where he is known as 'The Sinnerman'. He also writes and hosts quizzes of his own and released his first book, 'The Real British Citizenship Test: What You Really Need to Know to be a UK Citizen', in 2015. Paul Sinha will host the EADT Business Awards 2025 (Image: JLA) The categories at the EADT Business Awards 2025 are: Customer Excellence Award, sponsored by Greater Anglia; Businessperson of the Year, sponsored by Churchmanor Estates; Employer of the Year, sponsored by Ashtons Legal; Growth business of the Year, sponsored by Vertas; Large business of the Year, sponsored by Larking Gowen; Medium Business of the Year, sponsored by Pound Gates Chartered Insurance Brokers; Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Suffolk Business Board; Startup business of the Year, sponsored by Chassis Cab; Environmental & Sustainability Award and Positive Impact in the Community. The winner of the ultimate accolade of Suffolk Business of the Year, sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Sizewell C, will also be announced by Paul Sinha at the awards evening. Tickets for the EADT Business Awards are available to purchase online now, with both individual tickets and table packages available. There are a limited number of tickets on sale, so be sure to get yours while you can to be part of one of the Suffolk business community's biggest celebration of the year! Visit to book your tickets.
