THERE are 11 categories in this year’s Food and Drink Awards and here we will explain what we are looking for in each category.

There is also an overall award for Food and Drink Business of the Year, which will be selected by the judges from all of the entries.

Herefordshire and cider go hand-in-hand: cider puts the county on the map. Entries for Best Cider Producer can be any of the following, entered individually: clear, cloudy, sparkling, still, dry, semi-sweet. Entries must be made from apples grown in Herefordshire orchards. All entries must be bottled in Herefordshire or neighbouring counties.

And with so much amazing Herefordshire produce available it makes sense for restaurants and pubs to make use of it. Best Restaurant or Dining Pub recognises the best restaurant or dining pub that draws customers because of the excellence of its food, with particular emphasis on locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.

We are looking for a restaurant or dining pub that stands apart from others and that can demonstrate an innovative and winning menu. This class is about the overall quality of the meal and the dining experience, with an emphasis on local provenance, the knowledge and skill of the staff, and the presentation and taste of the food.

And cider isn’t the only beverage the county does very well. Entries for Best Brewer can include any of the following, entered individually: ale, lager, stout. All entries must be brewed in Herefordshire.

Entries for Best Dairy Producer can be a cheese, milk, yoghurt or cream. All entries must be made using Herefordshire produce and with milk sourced from animals that have been reared in Herefordshire by means of good animal husbandry, free from the use of sub therapeutic antibiotics or hormones, with plenty of access to outdoor space on pasture that has not been treated with artificial herbicides, fungicides, pesticides or fertilisers and nourished with feed not containing animal by-products. Entries made with either pasteurised or unpasteurised milk will be accepted.

The Best Café or Tearoom will go to the best independent café or tea room that stands apart from others with particular emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients.

The judges want to find the Best Butcher in the county with local produce being sold in well displayed shops. The shops must have high standards in hygiene and must have a commitment to training and development. Meat should be sourced from animals that have been reared in Herefordshire by means of good animal husbandry and the same rules apply as with the dairy producer.

Community Pub of the Year recognises the best pub that draws customers because of its excellent drink and atmosphere, with particular emphasis on locally-sourced beverages. The judges are looking for the real “pub at the hub.” They will be looking first and foremost at the beers – there should be good draught beer that is well-kept.

Entries for the Best Independent Food and Drink Retailer need to be an imaginative initiative that’s changing the way good quality food and drink is being sourced and sold. It could be a wholesaler, website, farm shop or independent retailer.

The Best Drinks Product entries can be drink products produced locally aside from cider/beers/ales and lager. Entries must be made by produce grown in the county and be bottled in Herefordshire or neighbouring counties.

Judges are interested in the diversification of farming which results in a farm shop selling locally produced food direct to the consumer for the Best Farm Shop category.

For the Best Food Producer entries can be food products produced locally aside from dairy products. Entries must be made, produced or grown in Herefordshire. Previously it said the product must be all three but one of the three is suitable. Go to herefordtimes.com/awards/foodanddrink