From family-owned favourites to tucked-away treasures, it is time to vote for your favourite food venues in the city.

Nominations are now open for The St Albans and Harpenden Food & Drink Festival awards, with eleven coveted titles on the menu.

A shortlist of potential winners will be decided by a public vote in the summer.

The categories include best restaurant, pub, bar, takeaway, café, family-friendly venue, independent food or drink shop, local food producer and newcomer.

There is also the Kate D’Arcy Award for Customer Service, named in honour of a popular local restaurateur who died six years ago.

For the first time this year, there will also be an award for the best market stall.

Businesses and individuals can make as many nominations as they wish up until Monday.

All eligible nominees will then be put forward to the public vote from Wednesday, July 6 to Wednesday, August 31.

The top three in each category will go through to the next stage when the Festival steering group will check out the nominees.

The steering group, including a range of food and drink experts, will carry out surprise visits and tastings before deciding the winners.

Those results will be announced at an awards dinner to be held at Sopwell House Hotel on Monday, October 3.

To vote, click here.   

The 2016 St Albans & Harpenden Food & Drink Festival starts on Sunday, September 25.