News

The judges for this year’s eagerly anticipated Menu Food & Drink awards have been announced.

And there is still time to get your entry in with the deadline extended to Friday 15 July.

After Covid caused the cancellation of the awards ceremony in 2020, the vibrant food and drink sector in Tayside and Fife will again be celebrating the industry in style.

This year’s pane lo five judges includes some new faces, and some from awards past.

Eniola Odejayi, co-owner of Dundee’s Gidi Grill, is one of the new faces.

The popular restaurant recently opened its third branch in City Square, Dundee.

Martha Bryce is well-known to the awards, having been on the judging panel for several years.

A veteran of the food and drink industry, Fife-based Martha grew up working at her family’s food business.

She now runs Sound Bite PR, working with a huge variety of businesses.

Former MasterChef winner and Newport restaurateur Jamie Scott is also no stranger to the awards, having been on the judging panel before.

This will be the first year Julia Bryce, head of the Food and Drink team at The Courier and The Press & Journal, will be involved in the judging, and she cannot wait.

“The past two years have been incredibly challenging and this will be a great way to raise a glass to all in food and drink and hospitality who continued to put food on our tables and keep us motivated.” she said.

“Courier Country is bursting with talent. The awards not only recognise the quality of businesses in the area, but the individuals behind them who put their blood, sweat and tears into making their companies a success.”

The fifth member of the panel, Menu editor Brian Stormont, agrees.  It is also his first time as a judge, something he, too, is looking forward to.

If you have not got your entry in yet, hurry before it is too late.  You can enter here.

Categories include Chef of the Year, Bar of the Year, Brewer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Producer of the Year, Craft Distiller of the Year and Community Champion.