YEP gets ready to salute restaurateurs in Leeds at the 9th annual Oliver Awards

This year’s ceremony will be hosted by national broadcaster and Radio 2 presented Nigel Barden. It will also be attended by chef Tommy Banks, the youngest person ever to receive a Michelin Star and also consultant chef Stephanie Moon.

Oliver Awards website HERE

Editor of the Yorkshire Evening Post Hannah Thaxter said: “Since its inception nine years ago, the Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards has grown in scope and reputation, so that today it not only applauds the great things those in the restaurant industry do in Leeds but now across the whole of Yorkshire.

“We are proud to welcome a new master of ceremonies this year in the form of national broadcaster and Radio 2 presenter Nigel Barden. But we will also be welcoming renowned chef Tommy Banks, the youngest person ever to be awarded a Michelin Star, consultant chef Stephanie Moon and esteemed food critic Elaine Lemm.

“The awards exist to recognise the hard work, dedication and ambition of those in the restaurant industry, an industry which has helped put Leeds and Yorkshire on the map - no county outside London has more Michelin Stars, no county outside London has a greater depth and wealth of variety and ambition than us.

“The awards are a high point of this local industry and we at the YEP are proud to be able to celebrate the level of excellence, commitment and flair, which is clearly in abundance.”

The awards results will be published on March 9.

FACTFILE

The Oliver Awards were founded nine years ago to celebrate excellence in the dining industry in Leeds

They have since been expanded to include the whole of Yorkshire, with a new ‘rural’ category

There are 16 awards, plus two special awards for Outstanding Contribution and Overall Winner

The awards are based on the weekly restaurant reviews which appear in the YEP’s The Guide supplement, published Thursdays

Restaurants can nominate themselves or be nominated by members of the public

This year saw the most number of individual category entries, with more than 400