THE finalists in this year’s Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Awards have been revealed.

The awards are organised each year by the team behind the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival, with more than 20 categories ranging from Best Restaurant to Best International Cuisine.

Public nominations closed in early September with the top three in each category now going on to be judged under strict criteria.

Festival director Nick Mosley said: “It’s been another amazing year of openings and change in the food scene in the city and that has been reflected in the public’s nominations. There’s a few names I expected to see but definitely a few surprises.”

New categories for this year include Chef of the Year, Cheap Eats, Best Venue Design and Best Afternoon Tea.

Jeremy Ashpool, of Jeremy’s Restaurant in Borde Hill, said: “I’m looking forward to joining the panel of judges for Chef of the Year and Young Chef of the Year.

“The city has some impressive chef talent and that’s reflected in the finalist line-up in both categories. It’s going to be tough to select a winner.”

David Blood, of Posture People, is sponsoring the Best Venue Design award. He said: “As a design-led furniture consultancy, we are delighted to be judging this category.

“For us, the proof isn’t only in the pudding but the entire dining experience, from the wallpaper to how comfortable the dining chairs are. We will be looking for innovative use of space, continuity and how the look and feel of the restaurant elevates the food itself”.

Midnight Communications is sponsoring Best Afternoon Tea.

Managing director Caraline Brown said: “It is an honour to be part of these awards, especially at a time when Brighton is enjoying such prominence on the British food scene. As an awards organiser myself I know just how much work goes in to delivering a scheme which has credibility and commands respect. Congratulations to the organisers and the finalists.”

Mr Mosley added: “We believe our format is the most transparent way of running an awards scheme. The top three businesses or individuals in each category go through to interviews, menu tastings and cook-offs – all marked to pre-defined criteria. We want to ensure that petitioning doesn’t affect the final result so we are confident that the best are awarded the gold.”

The final will be held at My Brighton hotel in Jubilee Street on November 6.

CHEF OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Ridgeview Wine Estate

Michael Bremner from 64 Degrees

Steven Edwards from Etch

Duncan Ray from The Little Fish

BEST RESTAURANT Sponsored by Claire Walsh IFA

64 Degrees

Isaac At

Terre à Terre

BEST PUB Sponsored by The Beer Collective

The Basketmakers

The Earth & Stars

Preston Park Tavern

BEST COCKTAIL BAR Sponsored by Blackdown Artisan Spirits

The Cocktail Shack

Merkaba

Plotting Parlour

BEST CAFÉ Sponsored by 204060 Radio Cabs

Egg and Spoon

Metrodeco

V & H Café

BEST INTERNATIONAL CUISINE Sponsored by Baobab Developments

AguaDulce

The Chilli Pickle

Curry Leaf Café

BEST BURGER Judged by BBC Sussex

Burger Brothers

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Preston Park Tavern

CHEAP EATS Judged by Juice FM

Befries

La Choza

Pompoko

BEST PLACE TO SLEEP Sponsored by Hensby Law

Artist Residence

Drakes

MyBrighton

FOOD HERO Sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter

Amy Anslow, Ruth Anslow and Jack Simmonds from HiSBE

Isaac Bartlett-Copeland from Isaac At

Seb Cole from Boho Gelato

NEWCOMER Sponsored by Style Accountants

Befries

Etch

Murmur

BEST TAKEAWAY Sponsored by Brighton Catering Supplies

Befries

The Chilli Pickle

Curry Leaf Café

BEST FAMILY DINING Sponsored by 3 Blonde Bears

Curry Leaf Café

Fatto a Mano

Woodbox Pizza

BEST VENUE DESIGN Sponsored by Posture People

Holy Phok

Red Roaster / Pike & Pine

The Set

BEST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS Sponsored by Cobb Digital

Hotel du Vin

The Salt Room

Small Batch Coffee Roasters

BEST AFTERNOON TEA Sponsored by Midnight Communications

The Grand

Metrodeco

The Salt Room

BEST SUSTAINABLE FOOD BUSINESS Judged by Tom Flint

HiSBE

Infinity Foods

Silo

BEST FOOD PUB Sponsored by Cardens Accountants

The Basketmakers

The Earth & Stars

Preston Park Tavern

BEST BREAKFAST Sponsored by Dental Health Spa

Billie’s Café

Egg & Spoon

V & H Café

BRIGHTON & HOVE YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Brightonandhovejobs.com

George Boarer from Etch

George Ousley from Isaac At

Jackson Heron from 64 Degrees

BEST PRODUCER Sponsored by Wobblegate Fruit Juices and Eden Fruit Cider

Brighton Bier

Brighton Gin

Boho Gelato