VELVET FOOD & DRINK AWARDS 2026

Velvet Food & Drink Awards 2026

Following the success of last year, where we had two county finals with exceptional finalists in all categories, we thought that this year we would pitch Cambridgeshire against Suffolk to get the ‘best of the best’ across both counties.

When we launched the Velvet Food & Drink Awards four years ago, to give much-deserved recognition to both the businesses and individuals that make our area a more delicious place, we knew they’d be popular. But with nominations coming in by the thousand, from right across our circulation area, they exceeded even our expectations.

As ever, we’re calling on you, our readers, to nominate your favourites across 12 categories in each county: Farm Shop / Deli of the Year, Food & Drink Hero, Hospitality Hero, Hotel of the Year, Master Chef of the Year (Fine Dining), Producer of the Year, Pub / Bar of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Street Food / Pop-up of the Year, Sustainability Hero, Tearoom / Coffee Shop of the Year and Young Talent.

The three businesses or individuals with the most nominations per category will then be shortlisted and the winners chosen by a panel of independent, industry-expert judges.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Woodditton's Granary Estates on June 8, with coverage following in July’s Velvet.

Nominating is easy: fill in the swift nomination form, telling us what makes your favourite/s stand out from the culinary crowd. You’ve got between 1am on February 20 2026 and midnight on April 24 2026 to get your nominations in.

So whether you’ve got a soft spot for a particular bakery’s bread, swear the coffee in your local cafe can’t be beaten or book every special–occasion meal at a specific restaurant, we want to hear from you! These awards are YOUR awards, so get nominating. . .

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