OXFORDSHIRE is blessed with some of the finest eateries in the country and next week the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times will be awarding the very best.

Later on this week, the paper, along with sister title the Oxford Times, will be revealing the nominees in this year’s Oxford Mail and Oxford Times Restaurant Awards.

In Thursday’s Guide supplement, there will be a run-down of all the finalists.

With numerous restaurants regularly featuring on a variety national and international best restaurant or pub guides picking a winner is going to be a challenge.

A host of eateries will up for awards in a number of categories, including Best Gastro Pub, Best Fine Dining and even Best Pizza.

Food editor Katherine MacAlister said: “Anyone who has eaten out in Oxfordshire will know the fantastic range of restaurants available catering for a huge array of tastes.

“At the Oxford Mail, we feel it is important to celebrate this and make sure all the hard work which goes into making a successful eaterie is recognised.

“Deciding on the winners is never an easy task as we have to go to all the nominees,

“It’s a hard job but someone has to do it.”

Each week, Katherine and the other Oxford Mail and Oxford Times reviewers are out and about trying the best places to eat so they can give our readers the inside track - and in some cases let them know where to avoid.

Oxford Mail:

Katherine MacAlister with famous chef Raymond Blanc at The Black Horse pub in Thame

She said: “We roam far and wide, rooting out the tiniest pubs in scarcely known hamlets, pounding Cowley Road’s eclectic mix of international cuisine, putting on our poshest togs to dine in the most highfalutin restaurants in town, trying the Michelin stars, burning our taste buds on scorching curries and getting down with the kids in the trendiest places in town.

“In short, we like to think we cover all the bases, finding out where the youngsters like to eat as well as providing suggestions the older generation can adopt, and everything in between.

“We aren’t snobs. We will eat anywhere, some of the best food appearing in the simplest venues, and we aren’t pretentious, hating pomp and circumstance when the food doesn’t warrant it.

“We are also adventurous, trying any new fad, venue or food if we think you might like it too, from teepees and fields to juice diets and eating challenges.”

Previous winners of the Restaurant of the Year prize include Killingworth Castle near Woodstock, which picked up the prize in 2013.

In 2014, the award was won by The Red Lion in Britwell Salome, near Watlington in South Oxfordshire.

These venues picked up prizes not only because of the good food served but also the service provided by the hardworking staff.

Make sure you pick up a copy of Thursday’s Oxford Mail to find out who has been nominated.