The Guardian Series Food Awards will return on September 6 but until then you have the chance to nominate anyone you want to see in the shortlist.

Restaurants or food-related businesses will have the chance to win via a public vote, but they need to be entered first.

Nominations open today, giving business owners the chance to enter their venue while readers can name their favourite places. As long as they work with food, the only rule is that they must be located in areas covered by the West Essex and East London Guardian.

There are eight categories:

1. Butchers and delis

2. Pie and mash

3. Coffee shops and cafes

4. World food

5. Pubs

6. Fish & chips

7. Fine dining

8. Readers’ choice

(for the unusual or eclectic)

Areas include Waltham Forest, Leyton, Leytonstone, Chingford, Wanstead & Woodford, Epping, Buckhurst Hill, Walthamstow and Loughton.

You have until midnight on Monday, September 3, to nominate your favourite food spot or your own business. On September 6 voting will commence – make sure to pick up a paper to find the voting slip.

Email nominations to mattie.laceydavidson@newsquest.com or write to Mattie Lacey-Davidson, Caxton Way, Watford, WD18 8RJ.