FT Weekend, in partnership with reservation platform OpenTable, has announced the first Business Lunch Awards. The best business lunch spot will be crowned at an awards lunch on December 1 at The Cinnamon Club in London, hosted by FT restaurant critic Jay Rayner. 

In its first year, the Awards spotlight restaurants in and around London that bring together exceptional cuisine and conversation. From established institutions to bold new openings, the aim is to recognise venues where business and dining thrive.

Nominations in four categories are open to the public: Best Food, Best Atmosphere, Best New Opening and Best Out-Of-Town. There will also be a judge’s choice award which will be given to a lunch venue that is a true city establishment. A shortlist will be announced October 24.

FT Weekend editor Janine Gibson said: “We're so pleased to celebrate both the art of the business lunch and the restaurant industry through these awards with OpenTable. We're eager to hear from FT readers about their favourite establishments, and this is an assignment our panel of judges very much looks forward to.”

The launch of the Business Lunch Awards is part of a Financial Times and OpenTable partnership which includes a new FT Weekend magazine supplement called "The Joy of January” exploring how to make the most of the month through food. 

Earlier in the year, the FT expanded its food and drink offering by launching Appetites, an online home for the best of its coverage from across FT Weekend Magazine, HTSI and FT Globetrotter. This coincided with the arrival of two new columnists, restaurant critic Jay Rayner and restaurant writer Marina O’Loughlin.

Submit your nominations for the Business Lunch Awards by October 24 here. 

ENDS

For more information, please contact pressoffice@ft.com   

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