The Great Food Club has announced its 2020/21 Awards finalists for the East Midlands.

A spokesman said: "During July 2020, our readers and members cast nearly 6,000 votes in response to the following question: Which independent food or drink business has brought you the most joy over the past 12 months?

"We chose the finalists after counting and analysing all the votes. Multiple votes from the same IP address were excluded and last year's winners were excluded. That's our policy because it allows us to shine a light on a greater number of exceptional businesses."

Now, its team of judges will carefully judge the finalists' products, cooking, service, facilities and ethos before deciding the winner of each category and announcing their winners in October.

The finalists from Rutland are as follows:

Northfield Farm, Cold Overton, just over the border in Leicestershire, in the Farm Shop category.

In the Fine Dining Restaurant, we have Hambleton Hall, Oakham.

Hitchen's Barn, Oakham, Rutland, is a finalist in the Casual Dining category.

In the Dining Pub category, The Blue Ball, Braunston-in-Rutland, is a finalist.

Last year's winner (excluded from this year's awards) was The Wheatsheaf in Greetham.

Orbis, Oakham, is a finalist in the World Cuisine category.

Rutland had no finalists in the cafe category but last year's winner (excluded from this year's awards) was the Larder in Oakham.

Gates' Farm Shop, Cold Overton, Rutland, is a finalist in the Food Shop category.

Rutland has two finalists in the Bakery category. They are Bisbrooke Artisans, Bisbrooke and Lily & Honey of Oakham.

Last year's winners included the Hambleton Bakery, Exton, which are excluded from this year's awards.

And in a new category of Private Chef, Knife, Fork & Spooner of Ketton is a finalist.