It’s a tough job to whittle it down to just three finalists per category, but our judges are up for the challenge.

The finalists will be revealed on August 28 in the Eastern Daily Press and East Anglian Daily Times, followed by the winners at the awards event on September 14 at The Assembly House in Norwich.

It's not long until the 2026 finalists and winners will be announced (Image: Matthew Potter Photography & Videography)

Each category was assessed by two judges – either a sponsor paired with an industry expert, or two experts – who evaluated the entries against set criteria.

Here, we meet some of the judges taking on the task of deciding this year’s finalists and winners.

A big thank you to our headline sponsor Alliance East Anglia, our category sponsors, as well as Bread Hospitality for its support.

To find out more about the Norfolk & Suffolk Magazine Food & Drink Awards 2026, visit norfolksuffolkfada.co.uk

Best Coffee Shop/Café

Sponsored by Castlemeadow Villages

Expert judge: Rebecca Shepherd, head of engagement, Paddy & Scott’s

With 27 years in hospitality spanning hotels, restaurants, events and coffee, Rebecca understands the dedication behind the industry.

She is passionate about recognising the people whose hard work often goes unseen and celebrating the next generation of hospitality talent through these awards.

Rebecca Shepard, head of engagement, Paddy & Scott's (Image: Supplied)

Sponsor judge: Sanda Stott, governance and people development manager, Castlemeadow Villages

Sanda has a strong appreciation of the role food and drink plays in improving quality of life.

Working in health and social care, she values innovation, sustainability and inclusivity, and is proud to support the awards in recognising excellence across the sector.

Sanda Stott, governance and people development manager, Castlemeadow Care (Image: Supplied)

Restaurant of the Year

Sponsored by Suffolk Magazine

Expert judge: Samantha Mattocks, author and MasterChef contestant

Local author Samantha Mattocks is passionate about the region’s food and drink scene.

Through The Delicate Diner blog and her live cooking demonstrations, she champions local produce and believes Norfolk and Suffolk offer some of the finest food experiences in the country.

Samantha Mattocks, author and MasterChef contestant (Image: Supplied)

Expert judge: Anton Wimmer, owner, The Kings Head, Bawburgh

Winner of the Outstanding........

© Eastern Daily Press