WITH 44,000 votes cast in this year's Taste Cheshire Food and Drink Awards, organisers have now announced the finalists in each of the categories for the 2019 Awards.

But many residents might be surprised to see not one Warrington bar or restaurant has made the shortlist.

Stephen Wundke, Taste Cheshire chief exec, said: “ Every year now for two decades the people of Cheshire have been voting for their favourite places in these awards and this year more than ever they have cast their votes.

"Each year, at our Presentation Dinner, when we crown our champions, we get to see just how important these awards are, to those within the industry.

"It is very satisfying seeing so many people all together at the very top of their profession.

"Now comes the hard part as each nomination is now mystery dined and shopped by industry experts over the coming four weeks to see who will be, the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.

The nominations for this year's Food and drink Awards 2019 are:

Local Produce Shop of the Year

Hollies Farm Shop, Tarporley

The Lambing Shed, Knutsford

Rose Farm Shop, Tarporley

Cheerbrook Farm Shop, Nantwich

Bellis Brothers, Holt

Family Friendly Venue of the Year

Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester

The Chester Fields Pub and Restaurant, Mickle Trafford

The Oakfield, Chester Zoo

The StoryHouse, Chester

Best Use Of Local Produce In A Menu

The Pheasant Inn, Buwardsley

The Chester Fields Pub and Restaurant, Mickle Trafford

The Brewery Tap, Chester

Ring O’Bells, Christleton

The Faulkner, Hoole

Best Sandwich Shop

Meltdown, Chester

Peak Sandwiches, Chester Market

Bloom, Nantwich

The Cheshire Sandwich Company, Chester

Best Newcomer

Bean and Cole, Chester

The Nags Head, Haughton

Docket No.64, Chester

The Oakfield, Chester Zoo

Antrobus Arms, Antrobus

Best Delicatessen

Whitmore and White, Frodsham

Monks Delicatessen, Runcorn

Deli Vert, Hoole

Deli Boys, Knutsford

Deli Fine, Holt

Best Cafe

Farm Made, Audlem

Bean and Cole, Chester

The Moorings, Chester

Gran T’s, Altrincham

Jaunty Goat, Chester

Best Bar

Little Tap, Tarporley

Bar Six, Sandbach

Barlounge, Chester

Lono Cove, Chester

The Suburbs, Hoole

Best Pub

The Chester Fields Pub and Restaurant, Mickle Trafford

The Faulkner, Hoole

Fox and Hound, Sproston

The Bear’s Head, Brereton

Ring O’Bells, Christleton

Excellence in Customer Care

Little Tap, Tarporley

Urbano 32, Chester

The Coach House Inn, Chester

Deadwood Smokehouse, Nantwich

Best Small Restaurant

The Chefs Table, Chester

The Galley, Ellesmere Port

Machine House, Rossett

Upstairs at the Grill, Chester

Joseph Benjamin, Chester

Best Large Restaurant

Opera Grill, Chester

Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester

The Fishpool Inn, Delemere

La Fattoria, Chester

1539, Chester Racecourse

Cheshire Small Food Producer

Howl at the Moon Hot Sauce

Little lodge Confectionery

Weston Biltong Company

Big 5 Catering

Clotton Hall Dairy

Cheshire Large Food Producer

The Ice Cream Farm

Backford Belles Ice Cream

The Cheshire Brewhouse

Hunter’s Gin

Peckforton Water

Cheshire Drink Producer

Harry’s Drinks Company

Great Drams

Weetwood Ales

The Edge Gin

Tatton Brewery