A PANEL of top food writers, chefs and other leading figures will be naming those businesses they believe are blazing a trail, at an awards ceremony later this month.

The countdown to the next Flavours of Herriot Country Awards has begun, ahead of a ceremony due to take place in Leyburn on Friday, November 20.

This year there are 12 categories in the contest, including best locally produced beer, best attraction caterer, farm or village shop of the year, local product of the year and best tearoom. There is also a readers’ choice award in the contest, which is sponsored by Wensleydale Creamery and supported by the Darlington & Stockton Times, Welcome to Yorkshire and Hambleton District Council.

The finalists have all be selected by a panel of judges including Gilli Cliff, who has published more than a dozen books and chaired the Guild of Food Writers and food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden, director of Yorkshire Fine Wines at Nun Monkton.

The judging panel was chaired by Elaine Lemm.

Elaine is a Yorkshire-born chef-restaurateur turned national food writer, whose website About British Food is ranked as one of the most visited food sites in the UK. She is often invited to talk about her passion for local foods, producers and cooking on shows including BBC Breakfast, the One Show and the Food Programme on Radio 4.

She said: “I am extremely honoured to be asked to be chair of the judges of the Flavours of Herriot Country awards 2015.

“There are many awards in Yorkshire, but what makes the flavours awards so individual is that they are focussing on the two areas of Richmondshire and Hambleton and giving much deserved recognition to the great work that goes on there.

“The judges and I are privileged to have the opportunity to see first-hand the exceptional food producers, restaurants, tea rooms, pubs, butchers and so many more across these areas.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony due to take place at the Garden Rooms at Tennants in Leyburn.

Among the finalists already selected for the title of Restaurant of the Year are Yorebridge House in Bainbridge, The Hare Restaurant at Scawton, Vennels in Masham and the Coach House in Middleton.

The awards will be presented by Elaine Lemm and Stephanie Moon, one of North Yorkshire’s most prominent chefs.

She began her career at The Dorchester, after winning a work experience placement there and being offered a full-time position working for world-famous chef Anton Mosimann.

She went on to work in some of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants and built up a career as executive chef at Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate.

The daughter of a North Yorkshire farming family, she now runs a chef consultancy business, All Things Food.