Mystery shoppers wanted to help find the best restaurants in Northamptonshire

Mystery shoppers are needed to review nominees for a countywide award. Could you be one of them?

Then maybe you can help decide the best restaurants in the county.

The Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards are searching for new mystery shoppers.

They need hard-boiled foodie veterans to put nominated pubs and restaurants through their paces and find the best pubs, cafes and eateries in the county.

Successful applicants will be sent to a venue where they must write and submit a complete review.

Awards director Rachel Mallows said: "As the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards grow bigger and better each year, we have more people nominating more food businesses. Tha means we need more mystery shoppers to review our nominees and see if the proof is in the pudding."

Selected mystery shoppers will be called upon to visit a restaurant that has been nominated in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards.

They must pay for their own meal with their own money and afterwards write and submit a complete review of their experience.

Rachel said: "They must rate and inspect everything, from the service to the portions, from the atmosphere to the cleanliness of the toilet.

"It is a great responsibility to be one of our mystery shoppers. It's about having a real palette and knowing what makes a venue one of the best in the county.

"If you feel up to the challenge, it is an exciting and immersive experience.

"We will have lots fo submissions this year to get though, so whether you like a night out for a curry or a trip out for a coffee, we can find a venue you'll be thrilled to review."

One mystery shopper - who must remain anonymous for obvious reasons - said: "I've been a mystery shopper for four years now. It's so exciting. My wife and I love being sent off to a venue we often would never have thought of going to before and we can find a real hidden gem.

"We always look forward to getting our next place to visit, and going back to other restaurants we've been to."

Successful applicants will be asked to review contenders for one four different categories: the Booker Food Pub of the Year, the Restaurant of the Year, the Spice Restaurant of the Year or the Independent Cafe or Tea Room of the Year.

If you think you have what it takes, apply by writing to [email protected]. Include your name, address, phone number, your favourite restaurant and what makes you the perfect mystery shopper.

The Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink awards are aimed at celebrating local produce and drink and 'reward those who work hard in the culinary sector', organisers say.

For more information on the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink awards, visit http://northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk/entry-forms/ or contact 01933 664437.