Voting is now open for food and drink awards which are decided entirely by the public.

The Brighton Restaurant Awards, known as the Bravos, are returning for the fourth year, with cafes, restaurants and bars from across Sussex competing in 16 categories.

Foodies can now vote online for six weeks until Sunday, March 15, and the 16 winners will be announced online on Monday, March 30.

At the end of the Bravos, one voter will receive a £200 prize to spend in their favourite Brighton venue.

There will also be individual prizes given out throughout the voting period, including donations from sponsors.

Among the categories are Best Restaurant, Best Cafe and Best Local for pubs, as well as awards for the best brunch, roasts and cocktails.

Food businesses can also pick up awards for international cuisine, sustainability and providing the best afternoon tea.

The Bravos stand for Brighton Restaurant Awards Vote Online. They were founded in 2016 by Nick Harvey, who owns the online food guide Restaurants Brighton.

They are the only food and drink awards in the city which are entirely voted for by the public.

Mr Harvey said they allow small venues to sit on a level playing field with restaurants with a larger budget, as social media plays a key role in influencing public support.

He said: “The Bravos have proven themselves to be popular with the public and great for local business.

“We are excited to be back for our fourth year.

“Our local and independent food scene continues to go from strength to strength and offers diversity and quality which is comparable to London and other capital cities.”

All award winners will receive a timber trophy made by The Wood Store, a social enterprise in Elder Place.

This year a new category has been introduced called Good To Go, for top quality takeaways and lunches that people can grab during the working week.

Mr Harvey said there has been an increase in smaller kitchen enterprises which do not have the space to host guests for a sit-down meal as well as street food vendors who can invest in the quality of their food, without the cost of high rents impacting on their prices.

He added: “Gone are the days where an acceptable takeaway meal is the sort of thing you’d send back in a restaurant.

“These days, people want restaurant-

quality food delivered to their door.”

There is also an award for Best Team, to reward staff for their collaborative efforts to give diners a good overall experience.

Last year’s Best Restaurant winner was Etch in Church Road, Hove.

The restaurant was opened in 2017 inside a former bank and serves tasting menus which change every month.

Chef Steven Edwards, who won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2017, said the Bravo award helped to establish the restaurant on the food scene and attracted more customers.

He said: “Winning the Best Restaurant Bravo was a very proud moment for the team.

“Not only to win but to be publicly voted for makes it much more special.

“During the competition we campaigned using social media, but also to our guests when they dined with us.

“Being a small local business has its challenges. By raising awareness of independent restaurants, the Bravos really help bring in guests who want to support local enterprises.”

The awards are not limited to Brighton, with a whole category devoted to Sussex’s Finest.

The Pelham Arms in Lewes, the Wheatsheaf in Henfield and the Rainbow Inn in Cooksbridge are among the nominees.

Last year The Real Junkfood Project won the award for Best Budget Bites, which has been renamed the Eat Well For Less award this year.

The Real Junkfood Project has pop-up cafes in Brighton and Hove and offers food which would otherwise be wasted on a pay-as-you-feel basis.

Paul Loman of The Real Junkfood Project said: “The Bravos certainly improved our profile in the city.

“We find many more people have heard about us and that was a massive benefit during our recent fundraising efforts.”

Woods Food Service, which has been supplying ingredients to top chefs in London for 40 years and is now working with restaurants in Brighton, is the headline sponsor for the Bravos this year.

Mr Harvey said this reflected the “outstanding” quality of the food scene in Brighton.

He said: “We are delighted to have such a prestigious food service company as this year’s headline sponsor.

“Their customer base holds 31 Michelin stars, so it’s a very positive sign for the local industry.”

To vote in the Bravo awards, go to brightonrestaurantawards.co.uk.