Categories / Criteria

Best Michelin Star

• Creativity and Quality: Décor / Ambience / Customers
• Innovative dishes and cooking techniques
• You must illustrate passion for the city, and how you contribute to it.
• Show a variety of wines that compliments the cuisine.
• Must showcase a tasting menu for customers.
• Reviews of customers from online websites such as TripAdvisor and other online websites

Best Fine Dining Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu that compliments cuisine
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Customer Service
• Extra additional facilities like chef’s table and private dining room, bespoke events like ‘whisky events’ etc

Best Gastropub

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience

Best Curry House

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience
• How you elevates the standard of South Asian Cuisine

Best Buffet Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience

Best Oriental Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience
• Authenticity and quality of the restaurant, you must showcase that your restaurant has heralded  traditional oriental tastes and style.

Best Steak House

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience

Best Italian Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience
• Authenticity and quality of the restaurant, you must showcase that your restaurant has heralded  traditional Italian tastes and style.

Best Spanish Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience
• Authenticity and quality of the restaurant, you must showcase that your restaurant has heralded  traditional Spanish tastes and style.

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Show consistent high quality and selection of dishes
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other online websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• How you add to local economy and local ambience
• Authenticity and quality of the restaurant, you must showcase that your restaurant has heralded  traditional vegetarian tastes

Best Restaurant (people’s choice)

The winner of this category will solely be chosen by the votes of the people. Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings/reviews on Trip advisor and other online media
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• Extra additional facilities like chef’s table and private dining room, bespoke events like ‘whisky events’ etc

Best Themed Restaurant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Being able to demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Show emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• You must illustrate how you have been innovative and have an exciting brand, that is cutting edge in its approach.
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff

Best Chef

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Flair and skills of the dishes creative momentous dishes

Best Restaurant Manager

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Best personality, making customers feel valued and encouraging return custom and creates a loyal following

Best Fast Food Takeway (public vote)

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other websites
• Décor/ambience
• Customer Service
• Friendly good value, choice, service and delivery times

Rising Star

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstrate an exciting menu which stands out from competitors
• Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
• Consistence amongst courses (desserts & starters)
• Eclectic wine list or innovative drinks menu
• Ratings on Trip advisor and other websites
• Décor/ambience
• Service standards by front of staff
• You must illustrate how you or how your business has made valid contribution to the food & drink industry as a whole and champions the diversity of the Birmingham food scene.

Most Popular Street Food / Pop-up

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Quality of Food
• Affordability
• Customer Service
• Health & Hygiene
• Reviews / Social Media presence

Most Popular Food Festival

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Footfall and uniqueness of offering
• Buzz it creates for the city and outside the city

Best Food / Drink Blogger

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Following & social media presence
• The range of cuisine show cased on your website
• Your knowledge of food and restaurants
• Must post 3 times a month on average.

Best Cocktail Bar

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Diverse list of concoctions
• Top range of quality spirits from around the world
• A broad price range
• The flair or a mixologist

Best Traditional Pub

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a brewery based or a free house
• Have a quality section of beers and ales
• Prices
• Customer satisfaction
• How valued the regular are.
• How you best illustrate embodiment of British pubs

Best Sommelier

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• How broad the Wine List is (variety)
• Broad price range of the wine list

Best Hotel Bar

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Customer Service
• Accessibility / Facilities
• Quality of drinks
• How well it balances the service to the locals and hotel residents. Best Drink Merchant
• How it implements confidentiality of customers

Best Drinks Merchant

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• How innovative and unique your drinks/products are
• Producers and distributors
• How you add value to the drink’s market

Best Afternoon Tea Establishment

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Value / Style and experience
• Affordability
• Customer service
• Accessibility and facilities
• How unique your establishment is compared to your competitors

Best Independent Coffee Shop

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

Minimum Requirements

• Value / Style and experience
• Affordability
• Customer service
• Accessibility and facilities
• How unique your coffee experience is compared to your competitors

Best Casino

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Customer experience
• Accessibility and Facilities
• Atmosphere
• Variety of gambling tables
• Extra non traditional features (e.g. function room, restaurant, catering for both genders etc)

Best Hotel

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Customer Service
• Staff
• Interior Décor,
• Accesibility and Facilities
• Concierge / Valet / Marketing

Best Budget Hotel

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Customer Service
• Staff
• Interior Décor,
• Accessibility and Facilities
• Value
• Flexibility

Best General Manager

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• How well you make customers feel valued
• How you encouraging return custom and create a loyal following
• Ambassador for the hotel group,
• Customer Service Relations

Best Venue

The nominated venue space must primarily be used to events and functions. The judges will consider:

• The capacity of the venue
• Health & Safety compliance
• Proven history of corporate fulfillment
• Range of facilities and services provided for attendees
• Accessibility
• The ability to facilitate ancillary add-ons

Best Spa

Nominee’s will be judged on the following criteria:

• Accessibility / Facilities
• Affordability
• Customer Service
• Products
• The range and quality of the services you provide