January 2007 sees the launch of what promises to be another successful year for The Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards and Cotswold BMW is a category sponsor. We seek your help in identifying the local 'Chef of the Year'. The 2007 Awards will be bigger and better than ever before, with cookery demonstrations, wine tastings, and of course the inaugural Awards ceremony and dinner. To make the Awards true to what you believe is the best in The Cotswolds, your nominations are essential and you too will get a chance to join in the celebrations.

The Cotswold Life 2007 Food Awards, to be held on Friday July 6th 2007 at Beaufort Polo Club, and will have 15 exciting categories covering every element of the food network from farm to fork, and are supported by some of the most influential companies in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Over 300 invited guests and members of the public will indulge in what is fast becoming known as the region's gastronomic Oscars and the Who's Who of the Cotswold food scene.

Not only do you stand the chance to be at the awards dinner, but Cotswold Life will be giving away the prize of a 12-month stint writing independent reviews for Archant Life publications. So if you want to be the next AA Gill or Faye Maschler, then the Cotswold Life 2007 Food & Drink Awards need to hear from you.

The Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards are now iconic in the region and have gained local and national publicity for many previous winners.

Nominations for all awards are required between now and Friday 30th March 2007. Entry forms can be found in the January issue of the magazine or at www.cotswoldlife.co.uk from January, through various outlets in the county, and on many of the sponsor's websites, including this one!

Andrew Hulcoop, Cotswold Motor Group Managing Director says "We are delighted to support this year's awards. We know our customers like to enjoy great quality food and drink products that mirror the quality and enjoyment of BMW, so our sponsorship of the 'Chef of the Year' award is both appropriate and exciting"

Mike Lowe, Cotswold Life Editor, says: "We see the Food & Drink Awards as one of our corporate responsibilities. We are proud of what our region has to offer and we want the public to have their say. Its going to be a great event and the more nominations we have in the more nail-biting it will be for the finalists. Have your say and get voting now"

The 15 Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards categories are:
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by Cotswold BMW

Best Farm Shop of the Year
Sponsored by BBC Radio Gloucestershire

**Best Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by Shooting Food photographers

Best Organic Producer
Sponsored by Lower Mill Estate

**Most Innovative Food Product of the Year
Sponsored by Cotswold Inns & Hotels

Best Food Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Clarke Willmott Solicitors

Best Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by Budgens Broadway
**Best Whole School Approach to Food
Sponsored by BBC Points West

**Most Improved Farmers’ Market
Sponsored by Hartpury College

Most Distinctive Local Menu
Sponsored by Gloucestershire First - supporting Food & Tourism

Dining Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Wickwar Brewery Ltd

Country Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Christie & Co.

Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Hamptons International

**Best Food Critic / writer
Sponsored by Cotswold Life

**Food Personality of the Year
Sponsored by Whatley Manor

** categories new to this year