Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards: The categories

This year, the Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards feature 12 categories, which have been designed to allow as many food and drink businesses as possible a chance to enter.

They include popular categories such as Best Café, Best Pub, Best Newcomer, and, of course, the coveted Restaurant of the Year title.

There will also be a new category this year overseen by Bustler called Bustler’s Best Bite, which asks people to nominate their favourite dish, snack, drink or bite from around Derbyshire.

There will once again be an Innovation Award, chosen by Marketing Derby, which will be given to the most innovative food and drink business in Derby.

And, as always, an award will be presented on the night recognising Outstanding Achievement.

Categories inviting nominations include:

Restaurant of the Year 2025

Best Café

Best Bar

Best Pub

Best Country Pub / Restaurant (outside of the city)

Best Newcomer

Best Overall Experience

Best International

Best Curry

Bustler’s Best Bite

Nominations, which open from today, are welcomed from members of the public, business leaders in the city and food and drink establishment owners.

Online voting closes on 25 July. The entries will then be used to select the three finalists in each category, who will be announced on 18 August.

Representatives from each sponsor will judge their category, which involves ‘mystery shopping’ at all three finalists and scoring against defined criteria.

The winners will then be announced at a ceremony at The Chocolate Factory on 6 October.

The awards have already attracted an enviable line-up of partners, including The Chocolate Factory, Denby Pottery, Royal Crown Derby, Catering24, Rothera Bray, Derby College Group, Ocean King, NK Motors, Trentbarton and Q Branch Consultancy.

To find out more about the Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards, please visit Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards – Marketing Derby .

To nominate click here Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards – 2025 Nominations .