“Competition” means Best of Lincolnshire - Food, Farming & Hospitality Awards

“Organiser” means Stonebow Media

“You” means the individual who submits an application

“Platform” means the online system that the applicant must use to complete their application.

By submitting an application to the Competition, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions:

● Applications for the Competition must be submitted before the deadline stated on our website www.bestoflincolnshire.co.uk

● Applications must be submitted online by July 31 by following the link at www.bestoflincolnshire.co.uk

● It is free to apply to all of the Competition categories.

● Applications may be submitted by any individual representing the business applying and the individual who submits the application will also become the contact whom all correspondence from the Organiser concerning the Competition will be addressed to.

● You must inform the Organiser immediately of any changes to the contact information relating to you or the business applying during the Competition.

● The business applying complies with all current and relevant legal and licensing obligations. The judges reserve the right to not consider an application if this is in doubt and cannot be confirmed.

● You can apply for more than one category, but separate applications must be completed for each.

● Applications will only be considered if they are submitted via the Platform and completed in full and do not exceed the maximum word counts.

● The Organiser reserves the right to move an application into a different category, if deemed more appropriate and should this occur the business affected will be informed.

● You agree to be part of any publicity undertaken in association with the Competition. You accept and agree that the Organiser may use or publish any photographs, comments or evidence submitted at any stage of the Competition in any media, waiving any rights to payment or to inspect and approve a finished product.

● The Organiser may send you communications via email in relation to your application to the Competition e.g. reminders of the deadline and to submit your application, notification of successful application submission, judging feedback, applicant survey, event invitation.

● The Organiser may store your contact information within databases to send you marketing communications including newsletters, future events and promotions unrelated to the Competition.

● The prize provided by the Organiser for each winner will be a certificate and/or a trophy.

● Competition winners may publicise their success indefinitely provided the placing, category and year are specified in all publicity and materials.

● Competition winners may only use the specific logo issued by the Organiser and not modify it in any way, nor use, or adapt for use, any other logo connected with the Organiser.

● The Organiser will not accept responsibility for applications delayed or lost as a result of any network, computer hardware or software failure.

● In the event of any dispute regarding the Competition eligibility criteria, application forms, judging process, choice of finalists/winners or any other matter relating to the Competition, the decisions of the Organiser shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.

● If your business is shortlisted, it will be necessary to purchase a minimum of two tickets to ensure representation at the event. Winners will be asked to participate in publicity, which may include photography, quotes for the press and radio interviews. Tickets for the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are priced at £95 per ticket or £900 per table of 10 and income from these goes towards the overall cost of the event, which also requires significant sponsorship to take place.

Mystery shopping

• As part of the Best of Lincolnshire - Food, Farming & Hospitality Awards, your business may be subject to a 'mystery shopping' exercise. This entails anonymous visits from our judges who will evaluate your business according to the category you have been nominated for between August 15 and September 21, 2024.

• The judges will make bookings (if applicable) and attend your business like any other customer. Their aim is to experience and assess the quality of your products and/or services, customer service, and overall customer experience.

• At the end of their visit, the judges will reveal their identity to the proprietor or a senior member of staff.

• Upon revealing their identity, the judges will request a full refund for any goods or services they have received during their visit. This is to ensure impartiality and fairness throughout the judging process.

• By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you acknowledge and agree that the refund to the judges will be borne by your business.

• If a judge visits your business for the purpose of the mystery shopping exercise, you agree to facilitate their evaluation process in good faith, and to cooperate fully upon the revelation of their identity, including the provision of the requested refund.

• The purpose of this mystery shopping exercise is to ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation of all participating businesses. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and vital to the success of the Best of Lincolnshire - Food, Farming & Hospitality Awards.

  MYSTERY SHOPPING CRITERIA

  Accommodation Provider of the Year: A one-night stay for up to two people.
  Visitor Attraction: Admission for two.
  Arts, Culture, Heritage: Admission for two.
  Food Producer of the Year: Produce must be supplied for judging by Wednesday, 28 August.
  Drinks Producer of the Year: Produce must be supplied for judging by Wednesday, 28 August.
  Tourist Experience of the Year: Admission for two.
  Cafe of the Year: A meal with one course and a drink for two people.
  Pub/Bar of the Year: Two drinks for two people.
  Restaurant/Dining Pub of the Year: A three-course meal with a drink for two.
  Food on the Go: Available only at public events. Includes a main meal and drink for two.
  Chef of the Year: Participants must be prepared to cook and present a three-course menu on Monday, 9 September, at the Lincolnshire Cookery School.

Please note that these terms and conditions are binding upon self-nomination to the Best of Lincolnshire Food, Farming & Hospitality Awards.