2011 has been a year of change at Eat Out. We relaunched our website, the magazine is evolving and now the hotly contended awards are also changing.

Editor Abigail Donnelly is ringing in the changes by assuming the position of sole judge.

Asked how she feels about having the sole responsibility over the outcome of this prestigious award ceremony, Abigail says: ‘It’s a very big responsibility, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. Through the year, I make an effort to visit restaurants more than once, so to get the most balanced view possible. It’s also of the utmost importance for me to get to know the chefs behind the food and find out what their philosophies are.’

When pressed on whether the judging process will remain the same, Abigail concedes that it will be slightly different this year. ‘I won’t be judging for my peers,’ she says. ‘I will be judging with knowledgeable foodies in mind. The people who are actually dining out at Top 10 restaurants on a regular basis.’

On top of awards being given to the best restaurant, chef, service and the Top 10 eateries in the country, two new accolades have been created. The first honours the best new restaurant of the year and the second gives kudos to the most stylish establishments in the country.

A further development is that the awards are going to be much more inclusive and will celebrate the best Asian, steakhouse, Italian, bistro and country-style restaurants. ‘The awards are no longer only about the celebration of fine-dining establishments,’ says Abigail. ‘It’s very important that the fabulous specialist eateries dotted around the country are given the recognition they deserve.”

That’s it in a nutshell. Be sure to watch this space for more news on the Eat Out Restaurant Awards.