Award Categories 

Award Categories 

Best Restaurant

There are so many great restaurants in Milton Keynes, it’s hard to say which should be recognised as the ‘best’. However, there are many qualities that make some restaurants stand out from the crowd.

When casting your vote, things to consider are:

  • Great customer service
  • Quality food
  • Delicious food and drink selection
  • Teamwork
  • Professionalism
  • Engaging décor and design
  • Value for money
  • A winning wine selection
  • A clean and simple website

Chef of the Year

Chef of the Year nominees will take part in a special live cook-off event at The Milton Keynes College with the winner being announced at the awards.

Each chef will be asked to cook two starters from a mystery box of ingredients, two mains of their choice and two desserts from a chosen recipe selected by the judging panel.

The judges will be looking for:

  • Unique dishes and style
  • Varied menu
  • Passionate personality
  • Credentials
  • Passion, desire and ambition

Service staff of the year

Award-winning service staff offer more than just a friendly smile. They are the epitome of great customer service as well as the face of the restaurant.

The service staff should have the following qualities:

  • Engaging and attentive
  • Friendly at all times
  • Calm under pressure
  • A brilliant personality
  • Exceeding expectations
  • Happy with a good sense of humour
  • Politeness
  • Fun and confident

Best Newcomer

New restaurants are opening in Milton Keynes all the time and we want to recognise the best, most exciting new eateries in the city.

They can’t just have new paint, they need…

  • Thoughtful décor and creativity
  • A varied food choice
  • Originality
  • Super service
  • Value for money
  • Long term plans
  • Charitable goals

Best Independent Takeaway

New from 2020, this category has become increasingly competitive as more and more people enjoy eating cuisines in their own homes. It takes more than just quick food to ensure customers keep coming back.

Qualities required for award-winning takeaways are:

  • Both collection and delivery options
  • Wide menu selection
  • Value for money
  • Friendly staff
  • High quality food
  • Great taste
  • Acceptable waiting times

Best Pub

A pub is a pub so how are we going to pick a winner?

Please consider the following when casting your vote:

  • Awesome choice of beers and ales
  • Fabulous food choice and flavour
  • Planned events
  • Prompt service
  • Beer garden or events room
  • Family-friendly
  • Value for money
  • Charitable

Asian Restaurant of the year

Spice is nice but what makes them the best of the best?

With a wealth of Asian restaurants to choose from in Milton Keynes, which one gets your vote?

Please consider the following:

  • Selection of dishes
  • Best flavours
  • Décor
  • Value for money
  • Service
  • Consistency

Best Family Restaurant

This is a hard one, what makes the family happy? We want to know which restaurant you keep coming back to.

Please consider the following when casting your vote:

  • Kids activities
  • Variety
  • Staff interaction
  • Healthy choices
  • Entertainment
  • Clubs
  • Fun, fun, fun!

Bar of the year

How do you feel when you walk into a bar, is there a great vibe and atmosphere, creating the perfect place to hang out with your friends?

Things to consider when voting for your favourite bar are:

  • Drinks selection
  • Cocktail choice and consistency
  • Creative promotions
  • Music
  • Live events
  • Atmosphere
  • Fun and relaxed

MK’s Top Attraction

“Where shall we go this weekend?”

Milton Keynes has many fantastic places to go for a day out with the family, but which one is award-winning?

Please consider the following when casting your vote:

  • Value for money
  • Fun for the whole group
  • Perfect for families, friends or couples
  • Good food choice
  • Suitable whatever the weather

Mk’s Favourite National chain

There are lots of restaurants in MK which are part of a national brand, but which is best? We’re looking for:

  • Consistency
  • Great customer service
  • A strong brand and presence 
  • Quality food
  • Delicious drink selection
  • Teamwork
  • Professionalism
  • Engaging décor and design
  • Varied menu selection
  • Value for money

Best Coffee Business/Café

Wake up and smell the coffee!

Please consider the following factors when casting your vote:

  • Best quality coffee
  • Value for money
  • Friendly service
  • Consistency
  • Savoury selection
  • Sweet selection
  • Décor/brand

Best Artisan Produce

This category is not a public vote, and will be judged by some of MK’s top foodies. We are looking for local farmers, cheesemakers, beekeepers and the like. Fantastic products are created with passion, knowledge and hard work. If you think your produce has what it takes to win this award, enter today.

Best Street Food

Street food has become more and more popular over the past few years meaning it’s more competitive than ever.

Things to consider when voting should include:

  • Great taste and quality
  • Speed
  • Friendliness
  • Food and drinks selection
  • High quality ingredients
  • Cleanliness