Celebrated Sunday Herald restaurant critic Joanna Blythman has been shortlisted for a prestigious award in the national food ‘Oscars’.

The Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards recognise “excellence in writing and broadcasting”, with winners chosen by an expert panel of judges.

Blythman is shortlisted in the Restaurant Writer category alongside Tom Parker Bowles, who writes for the Mail on Sunday’s Event Magazine, and the late AA Gill, who wrote for The Sunday Times Magazine. Giles Coren of The Times won the category last year.

Blythman said: “I’m honoured to be recognised in these prestigious UK-wide awards.

“No one wants to waste their hard-earned cash on poor restaurant food, so I offer an honest assessment that helps readers make wise eating-out choices, based on my extensive experience of restaurants at home and abroad, my knowledge of the principles of both domestic and professional cooking, and my developed understanding of the provenance of ingredients.

“I have tremendous respect for serious, professional chefs. They deserve the respect of being judged even-handedly and impartially by someone who is able to appreciate their craft, and flag up true skill and achievement to the eating-out public.

I’m also aware that many readers won’t ever eat in the restaurants I review, yet still really enjoy reading a thoughtful, informative, well-written review.

“Stimulating, independent writing has always been a key element in the Sunday Herald’s ongoing success, earning it a loyal public following, and I am proud to be part of it.”

Sunday Herald editor Neil Mackay said: “I am delighted that Joanna's writing is being recognised at this level by the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, especially as she has been with us since the paper launched back in 1999. Joanna has a faithful following of readers who trust her reviews because she is scrupulous, hugely knowledgeable and fair, and writes without fear or favour. On top of that she is highly entertaining, and thoroughly deserves to win."