More than 20 cafes and restaurants have been nominated by the food-lovers of St Albans in this category.

And with over a week to go until the closing date for entries, more are expected.

Last year L’Italiana scooped this award and the Italian pizzeria, based in French Row, has been nominated again this year along with 2009 winners Barissimo and 2010 champions Lussmanns.

Last year the restaurant beat off competition from Bar Espresso, Darcys Restaurant, Singhli and Freddie’s to take home the prize.

This year, the Cafes and Restaurants category is sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses. L'Italiana is sponsoring the overall Retailer of the Year prize.

You can nominate retailers in one of six categories - fashion and accessories; specialist shops; markets trader; restaurants and cafes, food and drink and hair and beauty.

The competition is a joint initiative between the Review, St Albans District Council, St Albans Civic Society and St Albans District Chamber of Commerce to raise the profile of independent city centre traders and is now in its seventh year.

This year's competition will once again culminate in an awards evening at the Alban Arena on June 23.

All nominations should be received by midnight on May 9.

You can nominate traders by tweeting our dedicated Retailer of the Year page: @StAlbansROTY Simply tell us the name of the shop/cafe/restaurant/trader and where they are based.

You can also nominate a retailer via text.  Just text the word ‘retailer’ followed by the name and address of the business to 80360. Texts cost 50p.

Finally, you can nominate a retailer by filling out the form in this week’s Review and posting it to the news desk or by emailing your entry to revieweditor@london.newsquest.co.uk

This year the competition has again been backed by generous local businesses. L'Italiana is sponsoring the overall Retailer of the Year prize. The Federation of Small Businesses is sponsoring the Cafes and Restaurants category; The Maltings has sponsored Fashion and Accessories; Christopher Place has sponsored the Specialist Shops category and the District Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the STAR award. Hatch has agreed to sponsor the Hair and Beauty category while Alternative Barbering Co are sponsoring Food & Drink and Waterstones the Markets Trader category.