Leeds Oliver Awards 2026: Entries for Yorkshire Evening Post's food and drink awards now open - how to enter
The crème de la crème of Leeds culinary scene is set to raise a glass with the return of the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Oliver Awards for 2026.
The awards, now in their 17th year, celebrate the city’s thriving food and drink champions - and we’ve got some new categories to recognise just how much the scene has transformed.
It’s a chance to crown our best restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels, chefs and celebrate their contribution to making Leeds such a vibrant dining scene.
There are 17 awards in total including our new awards Best In Glass, Unsung Hero, Community Impact Award and Best Social Media.
There will also be a return of our staple classics including Best Chef, Best Bar/Pub, Best Deli/Cafe, Best Street Food/Pop-up and our Outstanding Contribution prize.
For more details and to enter the awards visit the new Oliver Awards website.
It will culminate in a swanky award ceremony in Leeds on March 16.
Publisher Laura Collins hailed the return of the awards and said: “It is fantastic to see the triumphant return of the Oliver Awards which continues to celebrate the city’s culinary heroes for almost two decades.
“It has never been a more exciting time for Leeds with so many new faces bringing a new level of energy to our brilliant city.
“We have also launched new awards this year to recognise the brilliance of our bar scene as well as the unsung heroes who make the magic happen behind the scenes.
“We can’t wait to bring the crème de la crème of the industry together to celebrate their contribution to the city. “
PPS, LHVA and Chef Works have already been confirmed as sponsors of the event.
Last year saw White Cloth Hall crowned the newcomer of the year, Malmaison Bar and Grill was named best hotel restaurant and Minal Patel from Prashad was named Chef of the Year.
How to enter the Oliver Awards 2026
Any business with an LS postcode, and/or in the Leeds City Council district, can enter the 2026 awards. You can find out more about the criteria for each category and submit your entries on the Oliver Awards website.