- Entries must have been published between 1st January and 31st December 2026 by a publisher, media outlet or platform based principally in the UK or the Republic of Ireland, or produced for and broadcast on a platform based principally in either territory during this period.

- Entrants must be over 18 years old and resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland

- Entries generated, in whole or in part, using generative AI are strictly prohibited (see the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy)

- Entries may be moved into suitable alternative categories at the Judges' discretion

- There is no cost to enter

- The decision of the judges' is final

Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy

The Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards do not accept entries created wholly or partly using generative AI. If a judge raises a query about an entry, it will be screened using AI-detection software as part of the eligibility process. Where screening raises concerns, further review may be undertaken to establish whether an entry complies with the rules and conditions of entry.

Using AI as an assistive tool:
✓ AI tools may be used for research and information gathering provided the creator independently develops and produces the submitted work.

Privacy and disclosure:
✗ Do not upload unpublished or confidential work, or third-party material you do not have permission to share, to publicly accessible AI tools.
✓ You must disclose any use of AI tools

CATEGORY RULES OF ENTRY

Book categories

- Entries must have been published between 1st January and 31st December 2026 by a publisher based principally in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

- The author must be over 18 years old and resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

- Publishers may make multiple submissions, but a book may only be entered into ONE of the following categories: Food Book, Debut Food Book, Cookery Book, Debut Cookery Book, Drink Book or Debut Drink Book

- Publishers must disclose any ghost-writing and name all co-authors on the entry form

- Books must contain original content. For annual guides, at least 75% of the content must be new

- Entries created, in whole or in part, using generative AI are strictly prohibited (see the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy)

- Book PDF files are only to be submitted if the hard copy is not available

Writer categories – ONE piece, PDF files only

- Entries must have been published between 1st January and 31st December 2026 by a publisher, media outlet or platform based principally in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

- The author must be over 18 years old and resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

- Writers must submit ONE piece of work per entry

- Writers may enter their work ONCE in each of the following categories: Food Writer, Cookery Writer, Drink Writer and Restaurant Writer

- Entries created, in whole or in part, using generative AI are strictly prohibited (see the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy)

- Upload a PDF file labelled with your full name and the title of the article - links cannot be accepted

Photographer category

- Entries must have been published between 1st January and 31st December 2026 by a publisher, media outlet or platform based principally in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

- The entrant must be over 18 years old and resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

- Generative AI must not be used to create, replace, extend or materially reconstruct any visual element of the entered image (see the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy)

- Submit three images (max 2mb), each one labelled ‘(1) + your full name’, ‘(2) + your full name’ and ‘(3) + your full name’

Programme Category

-  Entries must have been produced for and broadcast on a platform based principally in the UK or the Republic of Ireland between 1st January and 31st December 2026

-  Entrants must be over 18 years old and resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

-  Multiple submissions may be made by production companies for different titles

-  Only one episode per series

-  Submit a link or MP4 file labelled with the programme title. The file or link must remain accessible, with any required password provided, until 31st March 2027

-  Failure to provide a password may affect the entry

-  Entries created, in whole or in part, using generative AI are strictly prohibited (see the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy)

Audio (Radio & Podcast) category

-  The programme must have been produced for and broadcast on a platform based principally in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

-  Entrants must be over 18 years old and resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland

-  Multiple submissions may be made by a production team for different programmes or one-off specials, provided each entry features a different producer and presenter team

-  Only one episode per series

- Submit a link or MP4 file labelled with the programme title. The file or link must remain accessible, with any required password provided, until 31st March 2027

-  Failure to provide a password may affect the entry

-  Entries created, in whole or in part, using generative AI are strictly prohibited (see the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards’ Generative AI Policy)

Enter The Food and Drink Awards 2027