The people of Merseyside are being urged to support their favourite eateries by casting their votes in the annual Liverpool Food and Drink Festival awards.

The awards, now in their seventh year, aim to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation within the city’s thriving food and drink industry.

The awards will bring together some of the city’s best bars, restaurants, cafe and producers, who are up for awards such as ‘Liverpool’s Best Bar or Pub’, ‘Most Family Friendly Restaurant’ and ‘Local Producer of the Year’, voted for by the public.

The highly anticipated awards ceremony will not only reward our well-established popular eateries but also recognise the up and coming stars of the local food and drink scene, which have been shortlisted by key figures in the industry.

This year’s categories include:

· Young Chef of the Year

· Best Front of House

· Outstanding Champion and Pioneer to Liverpool’s Food and Drink Scene

· Favourite Restaurant (public vote)

· Best Pub/Bar

· Favourite Café/Tea Shop

· Producer of the Year

· Best Newcomer to Liverpool’s Food and Drink Scene

· Most Family Friendly Restaurant

· Best Customer Service

Winners will be announced at the Liverpool Food and Drink Awards ceremony, which will this year take place at ‘The Venue’ in the Liver Building, located on the city’s iconic waterfront on 30th September.

Denise Harris, organiser of the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival and Awards, is urging people across Merseyside to vote for their favourite local restaurants, cafes, bars and producers. She said:

“Most of us have our favourite when it comes to places to eat in the city and the Liverpool Food and Drink Awards provide an opportunity for people to shout about those restaurants, bars, cafes and producers they love to visit.”

Voting for The Liverpool Food and Drink Awards will close Tuesday 23rd September, one week before the ceremony.

The awards form part of Liverpool Food and Drink Festival, which brings over 160 local chefs, producers and drinks experts to the beautiful Sefton Park, from 19-21 September.

This year’s festival will welcome celebrity chefs Tom Kerridge and Yotam Ottolenghi, who will both host cooking demonstrations over the course of the weekend.

Visitors can explore an edible garden, a heavenly chocolate garden, as well as indulge in wine tastings and a beer festival. There will also be an interactive children’s area and pop-up restaurants.

The festival continues with a week-long programme of events at various venues across the city, including a wine tasting evening at Sefton Park Palm House, Tuesday 24th September.

Visit www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk to cast your votes!